Quad Cities maintains first place in the Western Division with an 11-3 record
PEORIA, Ill. (April 22, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Joe Musgrove matched a career high with nine strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings to become the Midwest League's first three-game winner this season, thanks to home runs by catcher Jacob Nottingham, right fielder Ryan Bottger and left fielder Jorge Martinez in a 6-2 victory at Dozer Park Wednesday.
Winning for the fourth time in five games in Peoria, Quad Cities (11-3) kept sole possession of first place in the Western Division for a fifth straight day. The club clinched its fifth straight series victory to open the season. Quad Cities last won five straight regular season series at the end of the 2013 season from Aug. 17 to Sept. 2.
In a game that began less than 13 hours after the teams finished playing Tuesday night, Chiefs left-hander Austin Gomber (1-2) worked a perfect top of the first inning, which ended with center fielder Derek Fisher grounding out to second base. Fisher slowed up after running through first base on the play and was removed from the game before taking the field. Bottger came in to replace him in the lineup.
In the bottom of the inning against Musgrove (3-0), Chiefs leadoff batter Magneuris Sierra reached on an error by shortstop Kristian Trompiz, went to second base on a passed ball by Nottingham, advanced to third on a flyout by shortstop Oscar Mercado and scored on a groundout by third baseman Danny Diekroeger.
Gomber held the lead until three batters into the top of the second inning. He walked second baseman Mott Hyde with one out, and then Nottingham drove his third home run of the season over the yellow line above the ivy in center field for a 2-1 Quad Cities lead. Gomber retired the next five batters before Bottger led off the fourth inning by hitting the first pitch of the inning to the left field berm for his first Midwest League home run since last Aug. 5. Then in the fifth inning, shortstop Kristian Trompiz singled to left field, and left fielder Jorge Martinez launched his second home run of the season - and first right-handed - to left field for a 5-1 advantage. After Gomber did not allow a home run in his first two starts of the year, the three against him Wednesday matched the total he allowed in the 2014 season.
The River Bandits added their only non-home run tally in the sixth inning against Gomber, as Hyde drew a one-out walk, and third baseman Alex Hernandez lined a two-out RBI double to left field against former River Bandit and third-year Chiefs right-hander Jhonny Polanco. Gomber was charged with six earned runs on four hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings.
In his longest outing of the season, Musgrove worked around four hits and struck out seven batters in the first five innings without allowing Peoria another run. After he struck out the first two batters in the sixth inning, however, Diekroeger drew a walk - the first allowed in 14 2/3 innings this season by Musgrove - and designated hitter Justin Ringo drove an RBI double to right field. Musgrove left the mound after allowing two runs - one earned - on five hits and one walk. Right-hander Keegan Yuhl came in to retire the next four batters for a scoreless 1 1/3-inning outing.
The Chiefs bullpen of Polanco and right-hander Robby Rowland combined to pitch 3 1/3 shutout innings with six strikeouts. Quad Cities struck out a season-high 14 times. The River Bandits used right-hander Ryan Thompson to retire the final six batters. For a second straight day, River Bandits pitchers did not allow a Chiefs base runner after the sixth inning.
The River Bandits have won the first two games of each of their five series this season. However, they are 1-3 in series finales and conclude their series in Peoria at 7 p.m. Thursday. Right-hander Austin Chrismon (1-1) is scheduled to face Chiefs right-hander Daniel Poncedeleon (1-0), who defeated Quad Cities April 11 at Dozer Park.
UP NEXT: Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities and WLLR present the first Friday Fireworks of the season following the 7 p.m. game Friday at Modern Woodmen Park. It is also Legends of Rock Night for the opener of the six-game, seven-day homestand. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits ownership in 2014 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, Space Camp opened June 20; the new Drop'N Twist debuted in July; and the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line also reopened.
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