BANDITS QUIET SNAPPERS AGAIN TO EARN SPLIT

Bobby Boyd has two hits in Quad Cities debut, while A.J. Reed hits first career triple among two hits

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (August 10, 2014) - Quad Cities right-hander Michael Feliz limited the Beloit Snappers to a run on three hits in the first five innings, and left-hander Chris Lee and Chris Cotton combined for four scoreless relief innings to conclude a second straight 6-1 River Bandits win in front of 3,996 at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday night.

Feliz (8-4) was perfect with four strikeouts through the first three innings, while his teammates built an early 6-0 lead for the second straight game off Snappers right-hander Joey Wagman (1-1). In the first inning, River Bandits center fielder James Ramsay hit a one-out single, and scored when designated hitter Chase McDonald's single went past left fielder Snappers left fielder Justin Higley. First baseman A.J. Reed singled to put runners at first and third bases with one out, but Wagman retired the next two batters.

In the second inning, Wagman walked second baseman Jose Fernandez. A groundout by shortstop Thomas Lindauer moved Fernandez to second base, and left fielder Bobby Boyd singled to left field in his first Midwest League at-bat to move Fernandez to third base. Right fielder Ryan Bottger's sacrifice fly to center field scored Fernandez to give Quad Cities (25-24 second half, 60-58 overall) a 2-0 lead.

In the third inning, Wagman allowed a one-out walk to McDonald, and Reed laced a ground ball down the first-base line that scored McDonald and put Reed at third base for his first career triple. Third baseman J.D. Davis doubled to left field to scored Reed, and with two outs, Fernandez singled Davis home to end Wagman's outing after 2 2/3 innings. Lindauer walked against right-hander Hunter Adkins, and Boyd singled to right field to score pinch runner Dayne Parker for a 6-0 lead. Boyd finished 2-for-3 in his River Bandits debut.

Quad Cities managed two hits and a walk from the fourth through eighth innings. Adkins scattered three hits and a walk with one strikeout in 4 1/3 innings, before right-hander Tyler Vail walked a batter in a scoreless eighth inning. In the four-game series that the teams split, Beloit starters allowed all 15 River Bandits runs in 20 1/3 innings for a 6.64 ERA, while Beloit's bullpen worked 13 2/3 scoreless innings.

Trailing 6-0, Beloit (17-31, 47-71) got its first baserunner when shortstop Melvin Mercedes led off the fourth inning with a home run to right field against Feliz, who yielded his first home run since June 5 and first earned run in 17 innings against Beloit. All five Midwest League home runs against Feliz have been hit by left-handed batters leading off an inning. Feliz allowed two more hits but no more runs, as he became the season-high eighth straight River Bandits starter to pitch at least five innings. He allowed three hits without a walk and struck out five batters. In 19 innings over four starts against Beloit, Feliz is 2-0 and has allowed two runs - one earned - for a 0.47 ERA. The Snappers have eight hits, two three walks and 22 strikeouts while hitting for a .125 average against Feliz this season.

After Feliz, left-hander Chris Lee struck out four batters in three perfect innings in his first relief outing since July 17. Left-hander Chris Cotton pitched the ninth inning, allowing a one-out single by center fielder B.J. Boyd but also striking out two batters to finish a 6-1 win and a split of the four-game series with Beloit. With a 6-1 win Saturday, the River Banidts have won back-to-back games by the same score on two occasions in the last 16 days. They also won consecutive 9-2 finals July 26-27 at Bowling Green.

After its final scheduled off day of the regular season Monday, Quad Cities opens a three-game series at Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in Geneva, Ill. River Bandits right-hander Kevin Comer (1-3) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Jen-Ho Tseng (6-1).

UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.

BANDITS STRIKE BACK IN SIMS' SHUTOUT START

James Ramsay swats grand slam for first home run of the season, Chase McDonald hits 14^th in 6-1 win

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (August 9, 2014) - Quad Cities left-hander Blaine Sims pitched six shutout innings for the first time in three years, left fielder Chase McDonald hit his team-high 14^th home run, and center fielder James Ramsay hit a grand slam for his first home run in nearly a year, helping the River Bandits to a 6-1 win over the Beloit Snappers in front of 6,971 at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night.

After losing the first two games of a four-game home series, Quad Cities (24-24 second half, 59-58 overall) defeated Beloit (17-30, 47-70) for the 11^th time in 15 meetings this season. The River Bandits had averaged three runs per game while starting August 2-6, but they posted their highest single-game run total of the month by the end of the second inning Saturday.

After Sims (3-4) worked around a pair of one-out singles in the first inning, Ramsay hit a one-out single in the bottom of the first inning off Snappers right-hander Junior Mendez (2-7). McDonald then smacked a two-run home run to the Modern Woodmen Berm down the left-field line for a 2-0 lead - the River Bandits' first of the series. McDonald drove in his team's first five runs in the series against Beloit, and with a team-best 11 home runs in the second half, he is the first River Bandit with 14 home runs since 2012.

In the bottom of the second inning, second baseman Jose Fernandez drew a one-out walk, Mendez hit catcher Brett Booth with a pitch, and shortstop Thomas Lindauer lined a single to left field to load the bases. With two outs, Ramsay hit an 0-1 Mendez offering that cleared the ribbon board in right field for Ramsay's first career grand slam and first home run since he homered for short-season Class-A Tri-City Aug. 25, 2013. It was the River Bandits' fifth grand slam of the season - each by a different player - and gave Ramsay a career-high four RBIs.

With a 6-0 lead, Sims limited the Snappers to lone singles in the third and fourth innings, and lone two-out doubles in the fifth and sixth innings. He did not allow a baserunner to reach third base and pitched six shutout innings for the first time since June 13, 2011, when he did so for Atlanta Braves Class-A Advanced affiliate Lynchburg in the Carolina League. As the River Bandits' seventh straight starter to pitch at least five innings, Sims scattered six hits and struck out a season-high six batters without a walk for the first time this season.

Mendez allowed only two hits after the second inning but left after 4 2/3 innings, allowing six earned runs on six hits, one walk and three hit batters with three strikeouts. After Mendez, the Snappers bullpen pitched scoreless baseball for the third straight game. Right-hander Trevor Bayless struck out two batters while allowing one hit in 2 1/3 shutout innings, and right-hander Joel Seddon struck out all three batters in a perfect eighth inning. Beloit relievers have allowed three hits and no runs in 8 1/3 innings the last three games.

Ramsay singled in the fourth inning for his first three-hit game since the All-Star Break, and McDonald added a single in the seventh inning for his second hit. Third baseman J.D. Davis in the third inning to extend a three-game hitting streak.

After Sims, right-hander Andrew Walter struck out all three batters in a perfect seventh inning. Right-hander Keegan Yuhl walked two batters and allowed a hit for Beloit's only run in the eighth inning. Right-hander Frederick Tiburcio pitched a perfect ninth inning.

Quad Cities seeks a split of the four-game series with Beloit at 5 p.m. Sunday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz (7-4) is scheduled to face Snappers right-hander Joey Wagman (1-0) in the seven-game homestand finale.

A.J. Reed and Ryan Bottger each homer to help Quad Cities win 4-0 game following 7-3 loss

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 5, 2014) - For the second time in three weeks, right-hander Michael Feliz pulled the Quad Cities River Bandits out of a six-game losing streak with a brilliant starting effort, pitching a career-high eight shutout innings and striking out a season-high nine batters in a 4-0 win over the Burlington Bees in front of 3,358 at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night.

Following a 7-3 loss in the completion of Monday's suspended game, Quad Cities (22-21 second half, 57-56 overall) got its longest starting pitching performance in more than two years. After pitching seven shutout innings July 19 to beat Lake County and snap his team's six-game losing streak, Feliz (7-4) pitched eight innings for the first time since he did so July 6, 2012, for the Gulf Coast League Astros. Feliz's start Tuesday was the longest by a River Bandit since Kyle Hald pitched a nine-inning game in a 6-2 win over Burlington June 4, 2012.

Feliz out-dueled fellow 2014 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game pitcher Victor Alcantara (6-6), who struck out a career-high 11 batters in six innings, allowing three runs - one earned - on five hits. Bees left-hander Cole Swanson struck out five batters in two innings, and River Bandits right-hander Keegan Yuhl struck out two batters in a perfect ninth inning. Quad Cities batters struck out a season-high 16 times, and the two teams combined for 27 strikeouts among 51 total defensive outs. There were no walks in the game - a first for Quad Cities and an opponent since April 18, 2010, when the River Bandits won 4-3, over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park.

Feliz worked three times through the Bees batting order, allowing one hit each time. In the first inning, he allowed a two-out double by shortstop Zach Houchins before recording his first strikeout of Bees first baseman Eric Aguilera. Second baseman Kody Eaves hit a two-out triple in the third inning, but Feliz got left fielder Bo Way on a groundout to first base. Feliz retired nine in a row before Way hit a two-out single in the sixth inning, but Feliz struck out Houchins to end the inning. He set down the final seven batters he faced, including his ninth strikeout - matching the most by a River Bandit this season - to end the eighth inning.

Alcantara retired the first seven batters of the game to extend a string of 20 River Bandits retired in order by Burlington (20-24, 58-55), which also did not allow hit for 10 2/3 innings until River Bandits second baseman Marc Wik lined a third-inning, one-out single to center field. Wik reached second base when center fielder Mike Fish bobbled the ball and scored on a two-out single by center fielder James Ramsay. Designated hitter A.J. Reed hit his fourth home run in nine Midwest League games in the fourth inning for a 2-0 lead. In the fifth inning, catcher Brett Booth and Wik hit consecutive singles, and two Bees throwing errors scored Booth. Wik was thrown out trying to score on a pitch that escaped Bees catcher Stephen McGee with rehabbing Astros outfielder George Springer at the plate to end the inning. Springer grounded out to third base twice and made one catch in five innings in right field in his second game with Quad Cities. Left fielder Ryan Bottger added his first Midwest League home run in the seventh inning off Swanson for a 4-0 River Bandits lead.

The teams resumed Monday's game with a 3-3 tie in the top of the sixth inning, and River Bandits left-hander Blaine Sims (2-4) allowed four earned runs on two hits, three walks and a hit batter in the seventh inning. Bees right-hander Alex Blackford (1-3) was perfect in four innings, and Bees right fielder Ranyelmy Mendoza finished 4-for-5 in the game. Houchins had three RBIs for the Bees, who had 15 hits, including 14 singles, to snap their eight-game losing streak and briefly extend the River Bandits' streak to match a season-high six games.

Quad Cities hosts Burlington for the rubber match of the three-game series at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias (7-5) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Harrison Cooney (8-5), who leads the league with a 2.19 ERA.

Despite a five-homer series, Quad Cities is swept in a road series for the first time this season

GENEVA, Ill. (August 3, 2014) - Left fielder Chase McDonald, first baseman A.J. Reed and catcher Brett Booth each hit home runs for the Quad Cities River Bandits, but every Kane County starter contributed to the team's 17 hits in a 9-5 Cougars win and three-game series sweep at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Sunday afternoon.

Cougars catcher Cael Brockmeyer hit his team's only home run of the three-game series, finished 3-for-5 and was one of three Cougars with two-RBI games. Cougars shortstop Daniel Lockhart and second baseman Chesny Young each had a double and three hits. Quad Cities (21-21 second half, 56-55 overall) has allowed 42 runs on 70 hits during its current five-game losing streak.

For the third straight game, Kane County (25-17 second half, 70-42 overall) took at least a three-run lead by the end of the second inning. Against right-hander Andrew Thurman (5-7), Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario led off the second inning with a triple to right field and scored on a single by Brockmeyer. Young doubled to right field, putting runners at second and third bases. Groundouts by right fielder Jeffrey Baez and center fielder Trey Martin made it 3-0. Both Baez and Martin joined Brockmeyer in having two-RBI games.

In the third inning, Lockhart doubled to right field and moved to third base on a wild pitch when Thurman walked first baseman Ben Carhart. Designated hitter Victor Caratini hit an RBI single to right field, extending the Cougars' lead to 4-0.

Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (10-5) faced one batter over the minimum in the first three innings before Quad Cities cut into the deficit in the fourth. Right fielder Ryan Bottger hit a leadoff single to right field, and McDonald launched a ball into the trees beyond the signs in left-center field for his 12^th home run of the season, shrinking Kane County's lead to 4-2. But the Cougars answered in the bottom of the inning, as Baez hit a one-out double and to left field and scored on a single by Martin for a 5-2 lead.

Torrez had set down seven batters in a row - including four on strikeouts - before Reed blasted a drive over the picnic deck in right field for his third home run in his first week in the Midwest League. Brockmeyer answered with his home run on Thurman's first pitch in the bottom of the inning. Young singled to chase Thurman, who allowed seven earned runs on 10 hits and three walks with two strikeouts in five-plus innings. Left-hander Albert Minnis entered to allow a triple to center field by Baez, who scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr. With two outs and the bases empty, Lockhart singled, stole second base and scored on Carhart's RBI single to make it 9-3. Minnis allowed two earned runs on five hits and a walk with one strikeout in two relief innings.

After Torrez allowed three earned runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in six innings, right-hander David Garner began the seventh inning, and Booth hit his fourth home run of the season off the video board in left field - the fifth different player to homer in the last two games for the River Bandits, who have hit 15 home runs in their last nine games.

Garner worked two innings, and right-hander Francisco Carrillo debuted for the Cougars in the ninth inning. Reed hit a leadoff double for his first two-hit game in the Midwest League and scored on Booth's sacrifice fly, but Carrillo completed the inning to seal the 9-5 final.

Quad Cities opens a seven-game homestand and three-game home series against Burlington at 7 p.m. Monday at Modern Woodmen Park. River Bandits left-hander Chris Lee (7-5) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Garrett Nuss (5-1).

UP NEXT: On Markdown Monday presented by 97X, the River Bandits will offer $2 bleacher and berm tickets, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game, and an All-You-Can-Ride Amusements Pass is just $10. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 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 recently made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has also reopened. Soon to come is another new ride, this one called a "Drop and Twist." In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, 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.