Quad Cities builds 8-1 lead through two innings to snap three-game losing streak
DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 6, 2014) - Tyler White became the first River Bandit in nearly two years with a five-hit game, and every player in the Quad Cities lineup had at least one of the team's season-high 18 hits in a 10-4 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of a season-high 5,206 on Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park.
White became the first River Bandit with five hits in a game since June 10, 2012, when Tyler Rahmatulla tied a Midwest League record with six hits - including two home runs, two singles and two doubles - in a 16-15, 11-inning loss at Burlington. The 18 hits for the River Bandits Tuesday were their most since they posted 20 hits in an 18-7 win June 11, 2012 at Burlington.
After being held to four hits by the Kernels Monday, Quad Cities (13-18) started immediately with four straight hits against left-hander Josue Montanez (0-1). Center fielder James Ramsay lined a leadoff single to center field, and second baseman Chan-Jong Moon grounded an RBI triple down the third-base line. With the infield in, designated hitter Jack Mayfield bounced a hit past shortstop Engelb Vielma to score Moon. First baseman Chase McDonald then lined a single to right field. Two batters later, White singled through the left side of the infield to score Mayfield for a 3-0 lead.
In the top of the second inning, River Bandits right-hander Jandel Gustave (1-2) allowed a leadoff home run by Kernels first baseman Bryan Haar. But that was the only run he allowed in the first two innings, when he struck out four of the first eight Kernels batters.
In the bottom of the second, Montanez retired the first two batters, before Ramsay became the first baserunner with a two-out walk. Moon lined his second RBI triple down the left-field line to become the first River Bandit with a two-triple game since Jordan Scott hit two Sept. 2, 2013, against Beloit. Mayfield followed with an RBI single to left field, and McDonald and right fielder Ronnie Mitchell drew consecutive walks to end Montanez's day. Right-hander Todd Van Steensel entered to face White, who drove a three-run double over the head of right fielder Zack Larson to extend the lead to 8-1.
Cedar Rapids (18-13) began to close the deficit against Gustave, who began the third inning with a hit batter, walk, hit batter and designated hitter Mitch Garver's RBI single. A ground-ball double play brought in another run for an 8-3 score. In the fourth inning, Gustave allowed consecutive one-out walks and a single by left fielder J.D. Williams that loaded the bases. Left-hander Chris Cotton (1-2) relieved Gustave and got a fielder's choice that brought in one run to make it 8-4, followed by an inning-ending groundout. After Gustave was charged with four earned runs on four hits and four walks with four strikeouts in 3 1/3 innings, Cotton retired every batter in the fifth and sixth innings to complete 2 2/3 hitless innings. Right-hander Kevin Comer followed by allowing two hits in three scoreless innings to earn his second three-inning save in as many Midwest League appearances.
Quad Cities scored in the fourth on Mitchell's first Midwest League home run, followed by White's single for his third hit. Ramsay doubled and scored on McDonald's RBI single in the fifth to make it 10-4. White singled in the sixth and doubled in the seventh to go 5-for-5.
By snapping a three-game losing streak, Quad Cities set a rubber match against Cedar Rapids for 7 p.m. Wednesday. River Bandits left-hander Evan Grills (1-0) is scheduled to face Kernels right-hander Kohl Stewart (1-1).
UP NEXT: The Book Buddies program graduates will be recognized Tuesday at the 11 a.m. River Bandits game presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits 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 110 feet over the playing field, is opening in May, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.
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