BURLINGTON, IOWA (May 31, 2019) — The Quad Cities River Bandits watched a big lead slip away late in the game, but used a big tenth inning to open a series against the Burlington Bees with a 13-10 win. The Bandits scored seven runs on six hits in the first extra frame to pull away.
The game entered the extra frame after Burlington tied the score with two outs in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI single from Tim Millard. The Bandits bounced back in a big way with the outburst in the tenth. Jeremy Pena opened the inning with a single into left field that scored Austin Dennis from second base to give the Bandits a 7-6 lead. Freudis Nova followed with a walk and then Ruben Castro added to the lead with a double to center field. Michael Wielanksy cleared the bases with a triple to build the advantage to 10-6. Before the inning was over, Burlington had turned to Millard, a position player, on the mound, and Carlos Machado and Dennis had added run-scoring hits of their own to widen the gap to 13-6.
In the bottom half, the River Bandits brought in Saturday’s expected starter Cody Deason. He allowed a lead-off single to Jordyn Adams and two batters later an RBI single to Spencer Griffin. Deason struck out DC Arendas for the second out of the inning, but walked Harrison Wenson to extend the game. Francisco Del Valle closed the gap further with a two-run base hit and Justin Jones pulled Burlington to within 13-10 with his run-scoring single to increase the drama. With the tying run at the plate, Millard stepped into the box again. This time, he flied out to the warning track in left field to end the game.
Quad Cities had built leads of 4-0 and 6-1 early in the game. A four-run outburst in the second inning included a two-run home-run from Wielansky. David Hensley’s third home-run of the year, also a two-run blast, made it 6-1 in the fourth. Hensley was ejected in the seventh inning.
Wielansky drove in four runs and finished 2-4 with a triple and home run. Jeremy Pena was 4-6 with an RBI and also scored a run. Pena’s hit streak has reached 13 games. Machado also had a big day at the plate with three hits and three runs batted in.
Five River Bandits pitchers combined to record 20 strikeouts in the game, but also 11 walks to Burlington hitters. Felipe Tejada worked 3.1 innings out of the bullpen and struck out nine, while allowing just one run. Riley Cabral earned the victory with 1.1 innings on the bump during which he surrendered one run.
The River Bandits continue the series in Burlington on Saturday night at 6:30PM. The Bandits have not announced their starter for the game. Burlington will go with RHP Luis Alvarado (2-3, 3.09) on the mound.
Quad Cities (R-H-E): 13-15-2
Burlington (R-H-E): 10-11-2
Win: Cabral (1-0)
Loss: Perez (0-2)
Save: None
HR: Quad Cities: Michael Wielansky (2, 2nd Inning, 1 on base), David Hensley (3, 4th inning, 1 on base)
HR: Burlington: Harrison Wenson (5, 2nd inning, 0 on base)
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.
