LANSING, Mich. (April 10, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits broke 1-1 tie with three seventh-inning runs following Lansing Lugnuts center fielder D.J. Davis dropping a two-out fly ball, and the visitors' four unearned runs in the game led to a 5-3 comeback win that salvaged the series finale at Cooley Law School Stadium Thursday night.
Lansing (3-4) took a first-inning lead against left-hander Evan Grills. Second baseman Dickie Joe Thon hit a leadoff single, advanced on two groundouts and scored on a single by designated hitter Mitch Nay.
Trailing 1-0, Quad Cities (3-4) took advantage of the first Lugnuts error in the top of the second inning. River Bandits left fielder Jon Kemmer popped up down the left-field line, and with three fielders converging, left fielder Derrick Loveless was charged an error for failing to make the catch, and Kemmer reached third base. Austin "Catfish" Elkins grounded out to second base to bring in the tying run.
Grills kept the 1-1 tie through his five-inning start. He worked around a two-out single in the second inning, a two-out double in the third, and a leadoff single in the fifth. He struck out five batters in the longest outing by a Quad Cities starter this season. Opposite Grills, right-hander Jeremy Gabryszwski scattered three hits and two walks while striking out three batters in his five innings.
The bullpens inherited a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning. Lugnuts right-hander Brady Dragmire (1-2) stranded runners at second and third base to end the sixth inning. He almost stranded two more in the seventh, after walking River Bandits catcher Jobduan Morales and center fielder Brett Phillips to put runners at first and third with two outs. Third baseman Tyler White hit a fly ball toward right-center field, and Davis jogged into the gap, where he dropped the catch, allowing Morales and Phillips to score, and White to reach second base. First baseman Conrad Gregor lined a single to center field that scored White for a 4-1 lead.
In the bottom of the seventh, River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz (1-0), who started his outing in the sixth inning, walked shortstop Jason Leblebijian. Catcher Santiago Nessy lined an RBI triple past diving right fielder James Ramsay, and third baseman Justin Atkinson hit an RBI infield single off Feliz's leg to cut the lead to 4-3. Feliz recovered to retire the next three hitters and finish his two-inning stint, allowing two earned runs on three hits with one walk and four strikeouts.
After River Bandits right-hander Patrick Christensen tossed a perfect eighth inning, Ramsay led off the ninth inning against right-hander Roberto Espinosa with a double to left-center field, and right fielder Brett Phillips placed a bunt single along the third-base line. Phillips had a team-high three hits. With runners at first and third, White grounded into a double play that scored Ramsay for a 5-3 lead.
Right-hander Andrew Walter came in for the bottom of the ninth inning and worked around a one-out walk for his first save of the season.
Quad Cities will open a three-game series against the Great Lakes Loons in Midland, Mich., at 5:05 p.m. Central Friday night. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (0-0) is scheduled to face Loons right-hander James Campbell (0-0).
UP NEXT: The second annual River Bandits Race to Home 5K and Kids Fun Run presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics is Saturday at 8 a.m. All proceeds benefit the Bandit Scholars Program.
To order any of the 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or download the order form at www.riverbandits.com. 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, is opening in May, along with a carousel, 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.
