Quad Cities loses consecutive games for first time since July 21, sits 2 1/2 games behind Cedar Rapids
CLINTON, Iowa (AUG. 14, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits overcame a 4-0, first-inning deficit Wednesday night, but they later lost leads of 5-4 and 7-6 and did not score after the fourth inning, as the Clinton LumberKings rallied for a 9-7 victory at Ashford University Field.
Quad Cities (30-20 second half, 68-51 overall) played its highest scoring game - 16 runs - since July 7 and has lost consecutive games for the first time since July 21. The loss pushed the River Bandits 2 ½ games behind first-place Cedar Rapids in the Midwest League Western Division standings. Clinton (25-26, 58-62) won its third straight game.
In the first inning, River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader allowed consecutive doubles by LumberKings shortstop Brock Hebert and second baseman Tim Lopes for a 1-0 deficit. Hader walked the next three batters, and a wild pitch scored a run before a strikeout. A bases-loaded hit batter, strikeout and fourth walk in the inning made it 4-0, before right-hander Daniel Minor took over for the final out.
River Bandits third baseman Rio Ruiz homered to lead off the second inning against right-hander Rigoberto Garcia. In the third inning, right fielder Teoscar Hernandez, shortstop Carlos Correa, left fielder Danry Vasquez and first baseman Bobby Borchering hit four consecutive singles. With two outs, designated hitter Terrell Joyce hit a two-run double to left-center field for a 5-4 Quad Cities lead.
The LumberKings retook the lead in the bottom of the third, as catcher Marcus Littlewood and first baseman Taylor Ard hit consecutive doubles, and second baseman Tim Lopes hit a go-ahead, two-out single for a 6-5 Clinton lead.
In the Quad Cities fourth inning, second baseman Austin Elkins walked, and center fielder Tony Kemp hit a single, before both advanced on Hernandez's sacrifice. Correa then hit a single through the middle to bring in both runners for a 7-6 River Bandits advantage.
After Minor completed 3 1/3 innings with two runs allowed, right-hander Patrick Christensen pitched a scoreless fifth but allowed the tying run in the sixth, as a walk and hit batter put the tying run in scoring position, and Elkins' error allowed the tying run to score.
In the seventh inning, River Bandits right-hander Zach Morton allowed three straight hits, including a go-ahead single by center fielder Alfredo Morales. The LumberKings added a run in the eighth when Ard hit an RBI single.
Right-hander Richard Vargas got the final two outs of the eighth inning with the tying run in scoring position and earned his second save.
The River Bandits continue the series in Clinton at 7 p.m. Thursday. River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers (6-5) is scheduled to face LumberKings left-hander Scott DeCecco (9-8).
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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