DAVENPORT, IOWA (August 7, 2019) — The Quad Cities River Bandits, playing as the Treasure Hunters for the first time this season, jumped out to a quick start and held on late for a 4-3 defeat of the Clinton LumberKings on Wednesday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Wilyer Abreu hit the first home-run of his professional career to collect his first three runs batted in on the campaign.
Abreu’s long-ball allowed Quad Cities (25-20, 68-43) to match their total scoring output from the four previous games on one swing. Oscar Campos began the inning by legging out an infield-single and was then replaced on base by Freudis Nova who bounced into a fielder’s-choice. Nova stole second base in short order and advanced to third when catcher Will Banfield’s throw caromed off of the runner and into the outfield grass. Clinton starter Josh Roberson walked Alex Holderbach to put runners on the corners with two outs in the frame. That set the stage for Abreu’s blast, which gave the Treasure Hunters a 3-0 advantage.
The Treasure Hunters added an important run to the lead in the next inning. Cesar Salazar worked a walk with one out in the bottom of the third inning and was on the move from first when Campos lofted a fly-ball toward the gap. Two Clinton outfielders converged on the ball and, when both dove, the result was a collision that knocked the ball loose and allowed Salazar to score.
Clinton (26-19, 59-55) did not score against either of the first two pitchers the Treasure Hunters threw at them. Felipe Tejada, the starter, worked 3.0 scoreless, hitless innings, and struck out three. Next up was Luis De Paula, who tossed the fourth and fifth innings and struck out four. The LumberKings finally broke through against Lupe Chavez in the top of the sixth inning. Peyton Burdick led off with a double and raced to third on a throwing-error by Abreu in right-field. JD Osborne dropped a shallow single into left-field to score Burdick and it reduced the deficit to 4-1.
Clinton went back on the attack in the seventh inning against Chavez. The nine-hitter Samuel Castro walked with one out and Christopher Torres followed with a single into left to put two on base. Burdick followed by hooking his second double of the night down the left-field line to score both runners and bring the LumberKings within 4-3. He ended the inning on third base when Chavez struck out Evan Edwards for the final out.
Chavez allowed just one base-runner over the final two innings of the night to pick up his first save of the season. He ended up throwing 4.0 innings and surrendered three runs on five hits while striking out six.
Campos and Burdick finished with two hits each to lead their respective teams. The LumberKings outhit the Treasure Hunters 7-5 in the game.
The series continues on Thursday night with another 6:35PM first pitch. The Treasure Hunters will toss LHP Jonathan Bermudez (4-0, 3.45) in game two with Clinton’s RHP Remey Reed (2-0, 1.14) opposing him. There will be $2 beer and soda specials on another Thirsty Thursday at the ballpark.
Clinton (R-H-E): 3-7-1
Quad Cities (R-H-E): 4-5-1
Win: De Paula (1-0)
Loss: Roberson (1-3)
Save: Chavez (1)
HR: Quad Cities: Wilyer Abreu (1, 2nd inning, 2 on base)
HR: Kane County: None
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.
