Quad Cities loses first series in three weeks but remains 1 1/2 games behind Cedar Rapids
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 12, 2013) - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers right-hander Austin Ross kept the Quad Cities River Bandits hitless for 5 1/3 innings, while his offense scored seven runs on 10 hits in the third and fourth innings combined, building a lead that stood for a 9-1 victory in front of 2,292 at Modern Woodmen Park Monday night.
The Timber Rattlers had 15 hits, and five players had multi-hit games, led by second baseman Alfredo Rodriguez, who went 4-for-5 with three runs scored. Rodriguez doubled to start the third inning against Quad Cities right-hander Mark Appel (1-1), who had retired the first six batters he faced. Catcher Tyler Roberts singled to put runners at first and third bases, and shortstop Orlando Arcia hit into a fielder's choice that brought in the first run. Center fielder Tyrone Taylor singled, and left fielder Michael Reed hit an RBI single for a 2-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, right fielder Max Walla hit a leadoff double against Appel. First baseman Parker Berberet singled to put runners at first and third bases, and Rodriguez added an RBI single on the first three pitches of the inning. Roberts made it 4-0 with a sacrifice fly, and Arcia singled and went to second base with the throw from the outfield. Center fielder then hit a two-run double, extending the margin to 6-0 and ending Appel's night after 3 1/3 innings. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson allowed Taylor to score on third baseman Mike Garza's RBI single, setting the nine hits and seven runs as the highest totals against Appel in any of his eight professional starts.
Lambson worked the next three innings for Quad Cities (30-19 second half, 68-50 overall) and kept the Timber Rattlers (22-28, 51-64) from extending the lead. His 3 2/3 innings tied his longest outing of the season.
Meanwhile, Ross (1-0) retired the first 11 River Bandits and gave up the first baserunner on his only walk to shortstop Carlos Correa with two outs in the fourth inning. In the sixth inning, third baseman Austin Elkins hit a one-out single for the team's first and only hit against Ross, who recorded four strikeouts.
The Timber Rattlers bullpen opened with right-hander Chris Razo, who allowed an infield single to River Bandits catcher Roberto Pena and RBI double by Elkins in the eighth inning for the home team's only run. Lef-thander Taylor Wall worked a scoreless ninth inning.
Right-hander Jamaine Cotton allowed an unearned run in each of the eighth and ninth innings. Taylor hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Rodriguez in the eighth, and Berberet hit an RBI single to score first baseman Matt Garza for a 9-1 lead. It was the largest score by a River Bandits opponent since Cedar Rapids scored 12 runs June 12. Wisconsin was the first team in three weeks to win a series over Quad Cities. The River Bandits had won a season-high five straight series since losing two of three in Lake County July 20-22.
After the last off day of the season Tuesday, the River Bandits start a three-game series in Clinton at 7 p.m. Wednesday. River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader (1-0) is scheduled to face LumberKings right-hander Rigoberto Garcia (0-4).
UP NEXT: The first 2,000 fans to Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night will receive a bobblehead of Minnesota Twins first baseman and former River Bandit Justin Morneau, courtesy of Mediacom and the Dispatch-Argus. The 7 p.m. game kicks off a seven-game home stand through Friday, Aug. 23. 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.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!
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