Wisconsin ends six-game home losing streak to Quad Cities, which drops first game since May 5
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 13, 2014) - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored in each of the first four innings to build a 6-0 lead Tuesday night, and the Quad Cities River Bandits had their six-game winning streak snapped by allowing a season-high 10 runs in a 10-4 loss at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Against right-hander Edison Frias (1-2), Wisconsin center fielder Johnny Davis led off the bottom of the first inning with a single. On a steal of second base, Davis went to third on an errant throw by catcher Brett Booth. Designated hitter Clint Coulter hit an RBI single to left-center field for the first run. With two outs, right fielder Michael Ratterree hit an RBI triple to right field, and third baseman Taylor Brennan added an RBI single to center field for a 3-0 Timber Rattlers lead.
Wisconsin (17-20) added single runs in each of the next three innings against Frias. In the second inning, Davis singled with two outs and stole second base again before scoring on a double by second baseman Chris McFarland. In the third inning, Ratterree launched his fifth home run of the Midwest League season to right-center field. In the fourth, shortstop Angel Ortega hit a one-out single, went to second base on a groundout, and scored on a wild pitch that got away from Booth toward the third-base dugout. Frias finished four innings, allowing six earned runs on eight hits with no walks and three strikeouts.
As his team built a lead, Timber Rattlers left-hander Tyler Alexander shut out Quad Cities (18-19) for the first five innings, scattering three hits and striking out six batters. In the sixth, however, he began by giving up consecutive singles to center fielder James Ramsay and second baseman Chan-Jong Moon. After a groundout and Alexander's career-high seventh strikeout, right fielder Ronnie Mitchell grounded to first baseman Paul Eshleman, who misplayed it, allowing Ramsay and Moon to score. After Mitchell stole second base, third baseman Tyler White drove his first Midwest League home run over the left field fence to cut the deficit to 6-4. Alexander was done after 5 2/3 innings, allowing four unearned runs on six hits. Right-hander Harvey Martin entered to allow Booth's double before escaping the inning.
The Timber Rattlers answered in the next half inning against right-hander Zach Morton. Catcher Rafael Neda drew a leadoff walk, and Eshleman drove him in with a triple to right-center field. Ortega added an RBI single to make it 8-4. Morton gave up two runs in his two innings, before right-hander Andrew Walter began the seventh inning. In the eighth, Walter gave up an RBI single to McFarland, and left fielder Tanner Mathis dropped a deep fly ball by Coulter, bringing in the 10th Wisconsin run - the most by Quad Cities opponent since Cedar Rapids won, 12-4, in Davenport June 12, 2013.
Wisconsin right-hander Taylor Williams began the seventh inning and pitched three shutout innings with five strikeouts to earn his first save. He gave up ninth-inning singles to designated hitter Jobduan Morales and Mathis before getting the final two outs. Every player in the River Bandits lineup had at least one of the team's 10 hits.
Quad Cities faces Wisconsin for the series rubber match at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday. River Bandits left-hander Evan Grills (1-0) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers right-hander Barrett Astin (3-2).
UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, will open May 24, along with a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.
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