07 May 2013

CAIN, BACKED BY BATS, HELPS BANDITS TAKE FINALE

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities takes rubber match over West Michigan to finish 3-3 Eastern Division road trip

 

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (MAY 6, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain delivered his best outing of the season, tossing five shutout innings, and four River Bandits had multi-hit games to help the visitors take the deciding game of a series over the West Michigan Whitecaps with an 8-3 road win at Fifth Third Ballpark Monday night.

 

For a second consecutive day, the River Bandits first starter pitched five shutout innings. Cain (1-3) held the Whitecaps to three hits, and West Michigan (13-16) only advanced one runner to third base - right fielder Jake Stewart in the second inning - in the first five frames. It was the longest outing for Cain since his first start on April 6, and his first without allowing a run since April 12.

 

Quad Cities (18-11) never trailed in the game once it scored two runs in the second inning against right-hander Charlie Gillies (0-1). First baseman Jesse Wierzbicki grounded a leadoff double down the left-field line and scored when Gillies threw Ryan Dineen's bunt past first base, allowing Dineen to reach second and later score on an RBI single by left fielder Jordan Scott to make it 2-0.

 

In his Midwest League debut, Gillies finished 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs - one earned - while walking one and striking out four River Bandits. Right-hander Edgar De La Rosa came on in relief in the third inning and shut out Quad Cities through the fifth inning. In the sixth, however, second baseman Austin Elkins hit a leadoff double and scored on Dineen's sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.

 

The third run proved critical in the bottom of the sixth, as right-hander Mike Hauschild allowed consecutive singles to designated hitter Devon Travis - whose hit extended a league-best 16-game hitting streak - and first baseman Jeff Holm. A groundout by third baseman Mario Martinez and a two-out single by second baseman Jared Reaves closed the Whitecaps within 3-2. After Reaves stole second base, Hauschild struck out catcher Adolfo Reina to end the threat. West Michigan came closest to tying the game in the seventh inning, as two hits and a one-out walk loaded the bases against Hauschild. But after a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Borkowski, Hauschild got Holm to ground to Elkins, who began an inning-ending double play.

 

Quad Cities pulled away by batting around in the eighth inning. De La Rosa started the inning by walking shortstop Joe Sclafani and Elkins. After a fielder's choice, Dineen put down his second bunt single to make it 4-2. Catcher Roberto Peña, who earlier extended his team-best hitting streak to 12 games, singled to left field for a 5-2 lead to chase De La Rosa. Left-hander Josh Turley then gave up an RBI groundout by right fielder Ariel Ovando and later a two-run triple by Scott for an 8-2 margin.

 

River Bandits right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched the final two innings and allowed a leadoff triple and run in the ninth for the 8-3 final.

 

The victories Sunday and Monday mean The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 7. 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, May 7. Quad Cities will begin a three-game series against first-place Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park.

 

UP NEXT: Wednesday, May 8, marks the start of a six-game home stand for the River Bandits, as Guaranteed Win Night and a U.S. Bank Pay Your Bill Wednesday also presented by Mix 96 kick off a series between the top two teams in the Midwest League Western Division. 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.

06 May 2013

RIVER BANDITS FIGHT BACK WHITECAPS FOR 5-4 WIN

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities draws season-high 12 walks, fans 14 Whitecaps in longest nine-inning game of the season

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (MAY 5, 2013) - In what began as a stellar performance by right-hander Lance McCullers and turned into a bullpen battle Sunday afternoon, the Quad Cities River Bandits rebounded from allowing West Michigan to tie the game in seventh inning, scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and left Whitecaps at every base for the final out of a 5-4 win at Fifth Third Ballpark.

McCullers set a career high with nine strikeouts in five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk to the Whitecaps while Quad Cities (17-11) built a 3-0 lead to put McCullers in line for his first career victory. The River Bandits drew four walks to score a first-inning run against right-hander Montreal Robertson, who walked a career-high six batters in four innings. Quad Cities shortstop Joe Sclafani hit a fourth-inning RBI double, and left fielder Terrell Joyce hit a fifth-inning RBI single against left-hander Josh Turley.

Down 3-0, West Michigan (13-15) started its comeback in the sixth inning against right-hander Daniel Minor. The top three batters in the Whitecaps order - shortstop David Gonzalez, left fielder Danry Vasquez and second baseman Devon Travis - each singled to bring in a run. Minor escaped runners at second and third bases by striking out the final two batters. Quad Cities answered the run in the seventh, as second baseman Austin Elkins hit a leadoff single and scored to make it 4-1 when right fielder Zach Kirksey dropped a two-out fly ball.

The Whitecaps rallied to tie the game with three unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh. Minor walked catcher Bennett Pickar and allowed an infield single to third baseman Jared Reaves before getting a ground-ball double play off the bat of center fielder Austin Schotts for the first two outs. With Pickar at third base, Gonzalez hit a grounder to shortstop, but Sclafani dropped the ball, allowing the run to score and the inning to continue. Right-hander Michael Dimock (4-0) came on to relieve Minor and gave up an RBI triple to left-center field by Vasquez, followed by Travis' game-tying infield single up the middle. Minor was charged with three runs - one earned in 1 2/3 innings with one walk and two strikeouts. Dimock allowed two hits and an earned run in 1/3 of an inning.

In a 4-4 tie, River Bandits designated hitter Brian Blasik drew an eighth-inning leadoff walk against left-hander Logan Ehlers (0-1) and went to second base on a sacrifice by center fielder Teoscar Hernandez, who earlier extended an eight-game hitting streak. Sclafani then hit an infield single off Ehlers' glove, and Elkins brought home Blasik by pushing a bunt to the first-base side of the pitcher's mound.

With a 5-4 lead, left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the eighth inning and fanned the first two batters. In the ninth, Lambson got a groundout and a flyout, but left fielder Terrell Joyce lost the ball when bringing his glove hand down and was charged with an error. After Joyce caught a fly ball for the second out, right-hander John Neely came in and walked the first two batters on eight pitches to load the bases. With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, however, he fanned designated hitter Lance Durham for his fifth save.

Sunday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 7. 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, May 7. Quad Cities will play the series and road trip finale at West Michigan at 5:35 p.m. Monday, as left-hander Colton Cain (0-3) and right-hander Mike Hauschild (1-0) face right-hander Charles Gillies, making his season debut.

 

UP NEXT: Time is running out to reserve tickets for the Mother's Day Brunch on the Sky Deck of Modern Woodmen Park. Reservations must be made in advance by Monday, May 6, for the brunch preceding the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12. 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.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits began the season with a great start, and they sit in second place in the Midwest League's Western Division. Meanwhile, the team's 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

06 May 2013

WHITECAPS USE COSTLY INNING TO DOWN BANDITS, 7-4

By Marco LaNave

West Michigan bullpen tosses four scoreless innings to give Quad Cities its third loss in four games

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (MAY 4, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits rallied from an early 2-0 deficit to take a 4-3 lead into the fifth inning Saturday night, but a two-out, bases-loaded single by West Michigan Whitecaps center fielder Jake Stewart and the subsequent throwing error by shortstop Joe Sclafani opened the door for a four-run fifth inning and the Whitecaps' 7-4 home victory at Fifth Third Ballpark.

 

The River Bandits (16-11) lost for the first time in seven games when having right-hander Vincent Velasquez and left-hander Joe Bircher as their starting tandem. The pair combined to allow three runs on five hits in seven innings - including three shutout innings by Bircher - but the inning in between was the pivotal one Saturday.

 

With a 4-3 lead going to the bottom of the fifth inning, right-hander Cameron Lamb entered and allowed a one-out single by left fielder Danry Vasquez, who then stole second base. Lamb hit second baseman Devon Travis before retiring first baseman Jeff Holm on a popout to shortstop. Lamb then walked designated hitter Lance Durham to load the bases. Stewart then grounded a ball deep to the hole at shortstop, and Joe Sclafani one-hopped a throw past second baseman Austin Elkins for a force attempt, and when the ball went into right field, allowing Vasquez and Travis to score the tying and go-ahead runs, respectively. The next batter, Zach Kirksey lined a two-run triple to the right-field wall that extended the lead to 7-4.

 

Working with the lead, the Whitecaps bullpen held the River Bandits to an infield single and two walks over four scoreless innings. Right-hander Chad Smith allowed a walk and struck out two batters in two hitless innings. Right-hander Angel Nesbitt worked an inning and allowed an infield single by designated hitter Miles Hamblin, who was caught stealing to end the eighth inning. In the ninth, right-hander Jose Valdez issued a one-out walk but shut the door for his fifth save in as many chances. That made a winner of right-hander Yorfrank Lopez (3-1), who allowed all four Quad Cities runs on seven hits and two walks and struck out three batters in five innings.

 

The Whitecaps (13-14) took their initial lead in the first inning when the first four batters reached base against Velasquez. Shortstop David Gonzalez walked, Vasquez singled, and Travis hit an RBI single to left field. After Holm walked, Durham hit an RBI groundout to first base that made it 2-0.

 

Quad Cities rallied to take its first lead in the third inning. Left fielder Jordan Scott reached on a bunt single, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez followed with another single to left field. After Sclafani put down a sacrifice and Elkins was hit by a pitch, first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki hit a sharp two-run double down the third-base line to tie the game. Hamblin's groundout to second scored Elkins for a 3-2 advantage, but West Michigan tied it in the bottom of the inning when Vasquez scored on a ground ball by Holm. The River Bandits took a 4-3 lead when catcher Jobduan Morales doubled and scored on Sclafani's two-out RBI double. Sclafani's two hits led Quad Cities.

 

The River Bandits play the Whitecaps again at noon Sunday. Quad Cities right-handers Lance McCullers (0-3) and Daniel Minor (2-0) will face right-hander Montreal Robertston (1-3).

 

UP NEXT: Time is running out to reserve tickets for the Mother's Day Brunch on the Sky Deck of Modern Woodmen Park. Reservations must be made in advance by Monday, May 6, for the brunch preceding the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12. 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.

03 May 2013

SILVER HAWKS GRAB ANOTHER LATE WIN OVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities matches season high with 11 walks but leaves season-high 15 runners on base in loss

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (MAY 2, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits came back to tie the South Bend Silver Hawks, 4-4, in the seventh inning Thursday night, but the Midwest League Eastern Division leaders scored twice in the bottom of the eighth inning for a 6-4 win, and the River Bandits left a season-high 15 runners on base in their second straight loss at Coveleski Stadium.

 

In a 4-4 tie entering the bottom of the eighth inning, left-hander Colton Cain (0-3) allowed three straight hits after having shut out South Bend for two innings. Silver Hawks third baseman Brandon Drury hit a leadoff single to left field, and designated hitter Ryan Court hit a double into the right-field corner to put runners at second and third with no outs. First baseman Frazier Hall then lined a go-ahead RBI single to left-center field, ending Cain's outing with four hits allowed in two innings. Right-hander John Neely entered to face center fielder Breland Almadova, who grounded out to shortstop to bring in Court for a 6-4 advantage. Both runs were charged to Cain.

 

In the ninth inning against Silver Hawks right-hander Enrique Burgos, River Bandits third baseman Ryan Dineen drew a leadoff walk - his fourth base on balls of the game and eighth in his last 10 plate appearances. After flyouts by designated hitter Jobduan Morales and pinch hitter Austin Elkins, left fielder Jordan Scott drew the River Bandits lineup's 11th walk - matching a season high set on Tuesday. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez then flied out to center field, giving Burgos his second save and the Silver Hawks (18-6) their seventh straight win and fifth straight season series win over Quad Cities.

 

The River Bandits (15-10) opened the game by scoring a run on three walks and a hit batter in the first inning against right-handed starter Kyle Schepel, who walked six batters in four innings. The Silver Hawks (18-6) quickly snatched the lead with three runs in the bottom of the first. Court hit a go-ahead, two-run double against right-hander Mike Hauschild and scored on an error by shortstop Brian Blasik.

 

Quad Cities closed within 3-2 on first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki's third home run of the season in the third inning. But South Bend answered with shortstop Pedro Ruiz's sacrifice fly in the fourth against Hauschild, who allowed six hits, four runs - three earned - and a walk while striking out one in four innings. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson tossed a perfect fifth inning before Cain started the sixth.

 

South Bend used four relief pitchers, beginning with right-hander J.R. Bradley in the top of the fifth inning. He worked two scoreless frames before right-hander Thomas Brendel started the seventh inning and allowed the tying runs on RBI singles by Dineen and designated hitter Jobduan Morales. In the eighth inning, Quad Cities threatened to break the tie by loading the bases against right-hander Frank Santana (3-0). But Santana induced a ground ball by catcher Roberto Peña, who had earlier extended his team-best hitting streak to 10 games. Quad Cities left the bases loaded in the first and eighth innings and left two on to end the third, fourth, fifth and ninth innings.

 

The River Bandits remained three games out of first place in the Midwest League Western Division and will try to avoid their first sweep by an opponent this season when they play the finale in South Bend at 6:35 p.m. Friday. Quad Cities right-hander Jordan Jankowski (0-0) and left-hander Brian Holmes (2-2) will face Silver Hawks right-hander Brandon Sinnery (0-0).

UP NEXT: Time is running out to reserve tickets for the Mother's Day Brunch on the Sky Deck of Modern Woodmen Park. Reservations must be made in advance by Monday, May 6, for the brunch preceding the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12. 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.

03 May 2013

SILVER HAWKS OVERTAKE BANDITS TO WIN OPENER

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities loses 3-0, fifth-inning lead to drop first game at Coveleski Stadium since 2011

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (MAY 1, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits entered the bottom of the fifth inning Wednesday night with a 3-0 lead on the road over the South Bend Silver Hawks, but the home team rallied for four runs on five hits in the next three innings to win their sixth straight game, 4-3, at Coveleski Stadium.

 

Quad Cities (15-9) built a lead with single runs in the first, second and fourth innings against Silver Hawks left-hander Daniel Watts (4-0). Shortstop Joe Sclafani singled as the second batter of the game, advanced to third base on a double by second baseman Austin Elkins, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jesse Wierzbicki.

 

River Bandits catcher Roberto Peña led off the second inning with a double to left-center field and scored on right fielder Terrell Joyce's double to right-center. Two innings later, Peña and Joyce helped extend the lead, as they each singled to put runners at first and second bases. Left fielder Jordan Scott then singled to left field, but when Peña was held at third base, Joyce was tagged out between second and third, while Scott went to second base. With two outs, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez grounded a ball deep in the hole at shortstop, and shortstop Pedro Ruiz dove to slow the hit in shallow left field before picking up the ball to throw out Scott at the plate to end the inning.

 

After that, Quad Cities had two singles in the fifth inning against Watts, who set down the next eight batters to end his outing with seven innings pitched, 10 hits, three earned runs, no walks and four strikeouts for the Silver Hawks (17-6).

 

Meanwhile, River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor took a 3-0 lead into the bottom of the fifth inning after allowing only three hits through the first four. Center fielder Breland Almadova started the Silver Hawks' rallyw tih a single to right field, and with two outs, Minor hit Ruiz with a pitch before second baseman Kevin Medrano drove a ball to left-center field that went off the glove of Hernandez and allowed two runs to score. Minor retired the next batter to finish five innings with five hits, two runs, no walks and two strikeouts.

 

With a 3-2 lead, right-hander Lance McCullers (0-3) started the sixth inning by allowing singles to third baseman Brandon Drury and first baseman Ryan Court. Consecutive groundouts by right fielder Socrates Brito and catcher Roidany Aguila advanced each runner two bases to tie the game, 3-3. In the seventh inning, Ruiz reached on a leadoff bunt single to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound. He advanced to second base on McCullers' wild pickoff throw to first base and went to third base on Medrano's a groundout. Designated hitter Fidel Peña then chopped a ball on the artificial turf that second baseman Brian Blasik leaped to grab before throwing to first base for the second out - which was enough to bring in Ruiz for the Silver Hawks' first lead.

 

South Bend right-hander Chris Capper pitched the eighth inning and allowed a one-out single by designated Miles Hamblin but got Roberto Peña to line out to Drury at third base for a double play. In the ninth inning, Blasik hit a leadoff single against right-hander R.J. Hively, who induced a ground ball double play from Joyce and a bunt groundout by Jordan Scott for his league-high seventh save.

 

The River Bandits continue their series in South Bend at 6:05 p.m. Thursday at Coveleski Stadium.

UP NEXT: Time is running out to reserve tickets for the Mother's Day Brunch on the Sky Deck of Modern Woodmen Park. Reservations must be made in advance by Monday, May 6, for the brunch preceding the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12. 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.

01 May 2013

River Bandits Game Preview and Notes from 4-30-13

By Marco LaNave
FIRST VISIT TO SOUTH BEND SINCE 2011 KICKS OFF SIX-GAME EASTERN DIVISION TRIP: After taking two
of three games each from the Lansing Lugnuts and Great Lakes Loons at Modern Woodmen Park, the River Bandits head to South Bend for the first of a pair of series at Eastern Division ballparks. The Silver Hawks, the Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks since the major league franchise debuted in 1998, took two of three games in Davenport last season by sweeping a doubleheader May 1. Quad Cities lost two of three games in South Bend in 2011 and two of three in Davenport in 2010. The River Bandits last won a series in South Bend July 9-11, 2008 - also the last year Quad Cities won the season series, taking two of three at each team's ballpark.

BANDITS POUND LOONS TO TAKE SERIES: The River Bandits took the final two games of a three-game home series against the Great Lakes Loons to finish a 4-2 home stand. On Sunday, every Great Lakes Loons batter contributed at least one of the team's 18 hits in a 10-6 victory despite the first triple play by the Quad Cities franchise since 2007. On Monday, River Bandits left-hander Brian Holmes set a career high and a season high for a River Bandit with 10 strikeouts in five innings, and right-hander Jordan Jankowski struck out four more in four shutout innings of a 6-1 home win. The 14 strikeouts set a Quad Cities single-game season high. In the Tuesday rubber match, the River Bandits scored a season-high 17 runs, and catcher Jobduan Morales hit the team's first grand slam of the season as part of a team-high five RBIs in a 17-6 win.
29 Apr 2013

River Bandits Game Notes 4-28-13

By Marco LaNave
LOONS BATTER BANDITS IN OPENER: Every Great Lakes Loons batter contributed at least one of the team's 18 hits in a 10-6 victory Sunday afternoon. Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain allowed six straight hits to start the fourth inning and allowed the first four Loons runs. After the River Bandits closed within 4-3, the Loons scored three times in the eighth and three in the ninth to extend the lead to 10-3. Quad Cities scored three times in the ninth to fall 10-6. Every starter on each team had a hit, with the exception of River Bandits shortstop Carlos Correa, who reached on two hit-by-pitches and scored twice.

TRIPLE PLAY NOTES: The River Bandits turned their first triple play in six seasons in the second inning Sunday against Great Lakes. With no outs and runners at first and second base, Dashenko Ricardo hit a ground ball to third baseman Rio Ruiz, who stepped on third base, threw to second baseman Austin Elkins for a force out, and Elkins' relay to first baseman Miles Hamblin completed the 14th triple play in franchise history and first since June 16, 2007, when Quad Cities also turned a 5-4-3 triple play on a ground ball by Beloit's Danny Valencia, just 16 days after the Swing of the Quad Cities turned a triple play on a line drive against Clinton. The 14 triple plays are the most all-time in the Midwest League.
29 Apr 2013

River Bandits Game Notes 4-27-13

By Marco LaNave

BANDITS HOST THE LOONS FOR FIRST TIME IN TWO SEASONS: In their second series against an Eastern Division opponent, the River Bandits host the Great Lakes Loons at Modern Woodmen Park for the first time since 2011, when Quad Cities, as the Class-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals took two of three games June 10-12 against the Los Angeles Dodgers Calass-A affiliate. Great Lakes won two of three games as hosts of Quad Cities last season.

BANDITS TAKE TIGHT SERIES OVER LUGNUTS: The River Bandits won their first series against an Eastern Division team this season by winning the final two games against the Lansing Lugnuts.

In Thursday's opener, left-hander Brian Holmes allowed a go-ahead home run to Chris Hawkins to break a 1-1, seventh-inning tie, and he and right-hander Michael Dimock allowed four runs in the eighth inning of a 6-2 loss.

On Friday, River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez matched a career high with eight strikeouts in five shutout frames to extend his scoreless streak to 14 innings and win his third straight start in a 4-0 home victory over Lansing. Left-hander Joe Bircher followed Velasquez with four scoreless innings to complete the first Quad Cities shutout since a 2-0 win Aug. 23 against Kane County.

On Saturday, right-hander Lance McCullers allowed a single unearned run in five innings, right-hander Daniel Minor pitched three shutout innings with six strikeouts, as Quad Cities took a 3-2 finale. The River Bandits pitchers combined for 11 strikeouts to set a season high. Right-hander John Neely  allowed a run with a 3-1 lead and loaded the bases before getting the final out of a 3-2 victory and earning his third save.

29 Apr 2013

River Bandits Game Notes 4-26-13

By Marco LaNave

BANDITS TOSS FIRST SHUTOUT OF 2013: River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez matched a career high with eight strikeouts in five shutout frames to extend his scoreless streak to 14 innings and win his third straight start in a 4-0 home victory over Lansing.

Left-hander Joe Bircher followed Velasquez with four scoreless innings to complete the first Quad Cities shutout since a 2-0 win Aug. 23 against Kane County.

Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez had two singles, two stolen bases, and two runs, and right fielder Terrell Joyce swatted his first Midwest League home run.

26 Apr 2013

River Bandits Game Notes 4-23-13

By Marco LaNave
RIVER BANDITS HOST LUGNUTS IN 2011 CHAMPIONSHIP REMATCH: The River Bandits are welcoming the Lansing Lugnuts, the Class-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, back to Modern Woodmen Park for the first time since Quad Cities completed a sweep of the Lugnuts in the best-of-five 2011 Midwest League Championship Series. Current St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Trevor Rosenthal pitched six innings to win the clinching game, which earned the Quad Cities franchise its fifth Midwest League title. In a three-game series at Lansing last season, the Lugnuts took two of three games.

EASTERN DIVISION MATCHUPS: Quad Cities is playing the first of eight three-game series against Eastern Division opponents. Four Eastern Division teams will host the River Bandtis, and the other four will visit Modern Woodmen Park. Last season the River Bandits, as the affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals, lost two of three games to seven of eight Eastern Division teams, with the exception a two-out-of-three home series win over the Lake County Captains.

QUAD CITIES WINS SERIES OVER DEFENDING CHAMPIONS: With a powerful offensive attack Sunday and Monday nights, the River Bandits took the first two games of a series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, who rallied to win the Tuesday matinee and avoid a three-game sweep at home. On Sunday, shortstop Carlos Correa blasted a solo home run as the second batter of the game and added a second homer in the eighth inning, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki added his second home run of the season in a 12-5 road rout. On Monday night, with the bases empty and two outs in the top of the 11th inning, the River Bandits drew three straight walks against right-hander Martin Viramontes, and left fielder Jordan Scott hit a bases-loaded RBI single to break a 2-2 tie. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez followed with a three-run triple to lift the visitors to a 7-2 victory. On Tuesday, Wisconsin scored five runs in the sixth inning and three in the eighth to break a 1-1 tie and win a 9-1 finale.

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