Carlos Correa has game-high three hits to lead Quad Cities within one-half game of second place
BELOIT, Wis. (MAY 31, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits first baseman Jonathan Singleton homered for a third consecutive game to start his season, with a two-run blast that broke 1-1, 14th-inning tie with the Beloit Snappers and helped the River Bandits to a 6-3 victory to extend their season-high winning streak to six games Friday night at Pohlman Field.
Quad Cities (30-23) won its sixth straight game for the first time since a six-game streak in June 2012 and snapped a four-game losing streak to Beloit (31-23). The River Bandits also closed within one-half game of the Snappers for second place in the Midwest League Western Division with a victory in their longest game since a 14-inning, 4-3 loss at Kane County May 5, 2011. The River Bandits last won a game of at least 14 innings July 25, 2010, when they defeated Dayton, 8-5, in 16 innings.
Quad Cities shortstop Carlos Correa led off the 14th inning against left-hander Brent Powers (2-2) with a ground ball that third baseman Renato Nunez misplayed to allow Correa to reach first base. After Miles Hamblin popped out to Nunez on a bunt attempt, Singleton stepped to the plate, carrying an 0-for-5 day so far. But on the first pitch he saw from a left-hander this season, Singleton smashed a towering fly ball to the trees behind the right-center field fence for a 3-1 lead. He became the first River Bandit to homer in three consecutive games since Anthony Garcia did so Aug. 2-4, 2012.
With one out and a two-run lead, River Bandits third baseman Rio Ruiz bounced an infield single over the pitcher's mound, and catcher Roberto Pena hit a ground ball that Nunez bobbled and threw past first base - allowing each runner to reach scoring position with one out. After a groundout by second baseman Austin Elkins, Powers intentionally walked right fielder Terrell Joyce. With the bases loaded, left fielder Jordan Scott lined a two-run double to right-center field for a 5-1 lead. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez followed with a single to left field that scored Joyce for a 6-1 margin, but Scott was tagged out between third base and home plate to end the inning.
Left-hander Mitchell Lambson (2-2), who fanned all three batters in the 13th inning, allowed a walk, two hits and a sacrifice fly before right-hander John Neely entered with one out. Neely allowed a walk and run-scoring single to make it 6-3, but he got left fielder Dayton Alexander to bounce to Ruiz, who started a game-ending double play. The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, June 1. 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 Saturday, June 1.
The game had 32 strikeouts - the most by the River Bandits and an opponent this season. Quad Cities pitchers fanned seven batters in a row at one point, and every player in each starting lineup fanned at least once. The River Bandits used five of the game's nine pitchers.
Quad Cities took a 1-0 lead on Correa's third-inning RBI single against Raul Alcantara, who pitched eight innings and struck out nine batters. Snappers designated hitter Ryan Mathews homered off right-hander Jordan Jankowski to tie the game in the bottom of the third.
Quad Cities will try for its seventh straight win - which would be its longest regular-season streak since seven straight May 30-June 5, 2007 - at 7 p.m. Saturday in Beloit. Quad Cities right-hander Jamaine Cotton (0-1) is scheduled to face right-hander Michael Ynoa (0-1).
UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. 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.
