Quad Cities scores five runs to break 2-2, 11th-inning tie and win second straight at Wisconsin
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (APRIL 22, 2013) - With the bases empty and two outs in the top of the 11th inning, the Quad Cities River Bandits drew three straight walks, left fielder Jordan Scott hit a bases-loaded single to break a 2-2 tie with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez followed with a three-run triple to lift the visitors to a 7-2 victory Monday night at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Solid defense and pitching dominated the first 10 innings of play between Quad Cities (11-5) and Wisconsin (5-9). River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor turned in his best outing of the season, allowing one hit and one earned run in five innings. He allowed a leadoff single in the first inning by center fielder Tyrone Taylor, who stole second base, reached third on a fly ball and scored on a groundout by right fielder Mitch Haniger for a 1-0 Timber Rattlers lead. Minor allowed just two walks after that and finished with two strikeouts.
The River Bandits tied the game in the fourth inning, as shortstop Carlos Correa and second baseman Austin Elkins hit consecutive singles. Correa was thrown out trying to score on a ground ball by first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki, but third baseman Rio Ruiz brought home Elkins with a single to left field, tying the game 1-1 against left-hander Brent Suter.
Quad Cities took its first lead in the sixth inning, when Elkins reached on an infield single, went to second on a wild pitch and third on a groundout. Designated hitter Terrell Joyce then hit a roller back to Suter, who flipped to catcher Clint Coulter, but Coulter dropped the throw as Elkins slid home safely. Coulter was called for interfering with Joyce, who reached first base without a throw. The interference was nullified since Quad Cities took the resulting play in live action.
Right-hander Lance McCullers started the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead, but he walked Taylor and allowed a two-out, game-tying double by left fielder Victor Roache. McCullers also ran into trouble in the eighth, loading the bases with a double by shortstop Orlando Arcia and two walks with one out. But he induced a ground-ball double play off the bat of first baseman Adam Giacalone to keep the 2-2 tie. McCullers finished four innings, allowing three hits and one earned run while walking three and striking out five.
Wisconsin threatened in the 10th inning against right-hander John Neely (1-1), as Taylor singled and reached second on a groundout. Haniger then bounced a ball to the grass in shallow center field that Correa fielded, and when Taylor headed for the plate, Correa fired a one-hop throw to catcher Jobduan Morales, who put down an inning-ending and game-saving tag on Taylor. Neely worked around two singles in the 11th inning to finish out the victory - the fourth in extra innings for Quad Cities this season.
With the River Bandits victories Sunday and Monday, The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, April 23. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, April 23. Quad Cities plays the series finale and six-game road trip finale at Wisconsin at 12:05 p.m. Wednesday. Right-hander Mike Hauschild (1-0) and left-hander Colton Cain (0-0) are scheduled to face Wisconsin right-hander Ryan Gibbard (0-0).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park for a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, April 25, with Manti Te'o Night and a Thirst-Day with $2 drink specials presented by Rock 104-9, the Quad Cities' CW, and the River Cities' Reader. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
