Wisconsin hits three home runs and one-hits Quad Cities for series-opening win
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 10, 2013) - The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers scored three first-inning runs and hit three home runs - including two by left fielder Victor Roache - while their pitchers combined to one-hit the Quad Cities River Bandits in a 7-0 final in front of 5,544 at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night.
The River Bandits (29-18 second half, 67-49 overall) had just one hit for the second time in a game this season, matching their season low from a 4-1 loss May 20 against Beloit. The Timber Rattlers (21-27 second half, 50-63 overall) allowed their fewest hits to an opponent this season, while not allowing the home team to advance a runner to second base until two outs in the ninth inning. The 7-0 loss was the largest shutout defeat for Quad Cities since dropping an 11-0 final at home to Beloit Aug. 21, 2012.
Timber Rattlers right-handers Tyler Wagner (9-8) and Harvey Martin combined for the shutout, with the former allowing a fourth-inning single by River Bandits left fielder Danry Vasquez. Wagner went five innings, giving up two walks and striking out five. Martin earned his second save by working around two hit batters and striking out one in the final four innings.
Wisconsin had a fast start against left-hander Joe Bircher (3-2). Center fielder Tyrone Taylor doubled to left field leading off the game and scored on a one-out RBI single by third baseman Mike Garza. Roache then hit the first of his two home runs to right-center field for a 3-0 lead. Bircher retired the next six hitters before allowing right fielder Michael Reed's third-inning double to left field that preceded another RBI single from Garza.
With a 4-0 lead, Wisconsin added a run in the fourth inning, as first baseman Parker Berberet hit a leadoff tiple and scored on a single by catcher Tyler Roberts. Garza led off the fifth inning with his fourth home run of the season for a 6-0 lead. Bircher gave up the first six runs - all earned - on nine hits while striking out four batters in the first five innings.
Roache tallied the final Wisconsin run by taking right-hander Daniel Minor's first pitch of the seventh inning out to left field. It was Roache's fifth home run in 10 games against the River Bandits and his 20th overall this season. Minor finished two innings from the Quad Cities bullpen, and right-hander Patrick Christensen worked around two hits to strike out four batters across the eighth and ninth innings.
The loss dropped Quad Cities 1 ½ games behind Cedar Rapids (31-17, 71-45) in the second-half standings. Peoria (25-23, 63-52) closed within 4 ½ games of the River Bandits for second place in the second half. The River Bandits have 22 games, including 12 at home, to finish the season.
The River Bandits will continue their series with Wisconsin at 5 p.m. Sunday. River Bandits left-hander Brian Holmes (3-3) will face Timber Rattlers right-hander Jorge Lopez (6-7).
UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits' next home game is Sunday, when the the first 2,000 fans receive a Joe Mauer Bobblehead courtesy of Prairie Farms and FOX18. 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.
