Quad Cities moves within 4 ½ games of Cedar Rapids and reduces playoff magic number to 3

DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 23, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits rallied from a 2-1, sixth-inning deficit with two-out RBI singles in the sixth and seventh innings by left fielder Danry Vasquez and right fielder Jordan Scottm respectively, to overtake the Cedar Rapids Kernels for a second straight game with a 3-2 victory in front of 6,913 at Modern Woodmen Park Friday night.

The River Bandits (35-24 second half, 73-55 overall) moved within 4 ½ games of the first-place Kernels (40-20, 80-48) in the Midwest League Western Division second-half standings. With a loss by the Peoria Chiefs Friday and 10 games remaining in the regular season, Quad Cities' magic number (any combination of Quad Cities wins and Peoria losses) to clinch a second-half playoff berth is three.

Cedar Rapids out-hit Quad Cities, 8-5, for a third straight game and also scored first for a third straight night. In the second inning against River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher, Kernels right fielder Adam Brett Walker hit a leadoff single. A wild pitch allowed Walker to move up two bases, and catcher Bo Altobelli drove home the run with a single to left field.

Quad Cities tied the game in the third inning against Kernels right-hander Hudson Boyd (4-5). Catcher Jobduan Morales drew a one-out walk, moved to second on a groundout and scored on a single by designated hitter Tony Kemp.

Cedar Rapids retook the lead in the sixth, as center fielder Jonathan Murphy hit a leadoff triple and scored on a one-out error by second baseman Austin Elkins. After Walker singled to put runners at first and third, Bircher got first baseman Mike Gonzales to hit into a fielder's choice at home. Bircher was removed after 5 2/3 innings with seven hits allowed, two earned runs and two strikeouts.

Right-hander Andrew Walter (1-0) struck out Altobelli to end the sixth inning and retired seven straight batters while his teammates took the lead. Walker led off the ninth with a single, but Walter got a forceout on a bunt attempt, strikeout and flyout to end the game. He completed 3 1/3 innings with one hit allowed and five strikeouts. Quad Cities pitchers did not walk a batter for second straight game.

In the sixth, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a one-out single and moved to second on a groundout, before Vasquez singled to center field for the game-tying run. In the seventh, Elkins was hit by a pitch with one out, moved to second on a groundout, and scored on Scott's single to center. Boyd allowed four hits and three earned runs in season-high seven innings with two walks and four strikeouts.

Friday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Saturday, Aug. 24. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Quad Cities begins a four-game series in Burlington at 6:30 p.m. Saturday. River Bandits left-hander Brian Holmes (4-3) will start against Bees right-hander Pat Lowery (4-8).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits' final homestand of the regular season kicks off Saturday, Aug. 31, with a Dallas Clark Bobblehead Giveaway presented by Barrel House 211 and CBS4 when gates open at 5:30 p.m. for a 7 p.m. game. Fireworks will also follow the game. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

Bill No.: SB 1341

An Act Concerning: Conservation

Expands opportunities for certain distressed communities to receive an Open Space Lands Acquisition and Development (OSLAD) grant for public parks and open space.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

Bill No.: SB 1775

An Act Concerning: Transportation

Allows for electronic images showing proof of insurance on cell phones or other portable electronic devices to be used as an insurance card.

Action: Signed

Effective: Immediately

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Spicy new burgers for both brands, plus Buffalo Chicken Tenders at Hardee's, feature iconic Frank's^® RedHot^® Buffalo Wings Sauce

CARPINTERIA, Calif. - Aug. 20, 2013 - Just in time for the start of football season, Carl's Jr.^® and Hardee's^® today announce new menu items featuring the bold flavors of spicy Buffalo wings. The Buffalo Blue Cheese Burgers at Carl's Jr. and Hardee's feature authentic Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce, blue cheese crumbles, Swiss cheese, mayo, red onion, tomato and lettuce atop a charbroiled beef patty and served on a sesame seed bun. In addition, Hardee's is offering Buffalo Chicken Tenders dipped in Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce with buttermilk ranch dipping sauce. The new burger and chicken tenders are available now at all Hardee's locations. The Buffalo Blue Cheese Burger will be available at Carl's Jr. starting tomorrow, Aug. 21.

"For most guys, football season isn't football season without Buffalo wings and burgers," said Brad Haley, chief marketing officer of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. "So, since we're in the burger business, we began playing around with the unique flavors of Buffalo wings on a burger and found that the combination tasted great. The spicy, vinegar kick of authentic Frank's RedHot sauce is cooled down by the fresh produce and the creaminess of the blue cheese crumbles and Swiss cheese. It really is the best of both all-American classics coming together for the first time."

For those who want their Buffalo wings on the more traditional side, Haley said, "At Hardee's, we're also dipping our popular Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders in Frank's RedHot Buffalo Wings Sauce and serving them with a side of creamy buttermilk ranch dipping sauce to make really good boneless Buffalo wings. So, we've pretty much got your Buffalo wings cravings covered."

To capture the authentic taste of true Buffalo wings, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's turned to iconic hot sauce Frank's RedHot. Made with full-bodied cayenne peppers, vinegar, garlic and other spices, Frank's Original RedHot Sauce became a culinary legend when it was used on the very first buffalo wings created in Buffalo, N.Y., in 1964.

The Buffalo Blue Cheese Burger is available for purchase as a single, double or Six Dollar Burger or Thickburger starting at $2.89 for the single and can also be ordered as a combo meal with fries and a drink. The Buffalo Chicken Tenders are available at Hardee's in three-piece and five-piece servings starting at $3.49. Prices may vary by location.

The football-themed ad for the Buffalo Blue Cheese Burger, featuring the theme music from Monday Night Football, can be viewed on the brands' YouTube channels (www.youtube.com/carlsjr and www.youtube.com/hardees) and will start airing nationally at the end of August.

Stay tuned to Facebook and Twitter (www.twitter.com/carlsjr and www.twitter.com/hardees) for the latest on the flavor of the football season.

About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2014, the company, through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,347 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and 28 foreign countries and U.S. territories worldwide, including 1,391 Carl's Jr.^® restaurants and 1,951 Hardee's^® restaurants. For more information about CKE Restaurants Holdings, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.