APPLETON, WISCONSIN (July 3, 2019) — The Quad Cities River Bandits erased an early deficit to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-2 on Tuesday night at Fox Cities Stadium. Starting pitcher Jose Rivera guided the Bandits to their third consecutive road victory by tossing a season-high 7.0 innings.
Wisconsin (8-4, 39-42) took an early lead with single runs in the first and third innings against Rivera. Chad McClanahan drove in Connor McVey with a double into the right-field corner with two outs in the first inning to put the Timber Rattlers on top. In the third, Brice Turang singled up the middle and quickly stole second base. He stood up and moved to third when Cesar Salazar’s throw bounced into the outfield and then scored when Ramiro Rodriguez also committed an error on his throw to third base.
After mustering just one hit over the first three innings against Wisconsin starter Reese Olson, the River Bandits broke through in the fourth. The inning began with three consecutive singles, the last of which came off the bat of Alex McKenna and scored Austin Dennis to trim the deficit to 2-1. With two runners remaining in scoring position, David Hensley launched a high fly ball to the warning track in center field. Korry Howell tracked it down, but Salazar was able to tag up at third and tie the game 2-2.
Quad Cities (8-3, 51-26) went right back on the attack in the next frame. Michael Wielansky reached on an infield single to open the inning and moved to second when Ross Adolph bounced into a fielder’s choice. Freudis Nova responded by hooking his fourth double of the last two nights into the left field corner to give the Bandits the lead for the first time all night. Dennis immediately scored Nova from second with a single of his own and the lead grew to 4-2.
Rivera improved to 4-3 on the mound by allowing just four hits and avoiding a walk for the first time in eight appearances this season. He struck out five in an efficient 89-pitch outing. Hunter Martin picked up his first save of the season by pitching the final 2.0 innings. The right-hander walked the first two batters of the ninth inning to put the tying run on base, but struck out two of the last three hitters to end the game.
Dennis and Salazar each finished the night with two hits. Dennis also stole his 15th base of the season. Wisconsin was limited to just five hits and no player tallied more than one.
The quick two-game series will come to an end on Wednesday with the game beginning at 6:35PM. The Bandits will hand the ball to RHP Felipe Tejada (3-0, 3.38) in a battle with Wisconsin LHP Scotty Sunitsch (6-7, 3.74).
Quad Cities (R-H-E): 4-7-2
Wisconsin (R-H-E): 2-5-0
Win: Rivera (4-3)
Loss: Olson (2-5)
Save: Martin (1)
HR: Quad Cities: None
HR: Wisconsin: None
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.
