Quad Cities remains 5 ½ games behind Cedar Rapids in the Western Division second-half race
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 19, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Mark Appel struck out a career-high six batters in five innings, combining with left-hander Mitchell Lambson and right-hander Andrew Walter to limit the Burlington Bees to three hits in a 6-1 win in front of 3,529 at Modern Woodmen Park Monday night.
Four players had multi-hit games for Quad Cities (32-23 second half, 70-54 overall), which had 10 hits - all singles - and won consecutive games for the first time since Aug. 8-9. The River Bandits remained 5 ½ games behind first-place Cedar Rapids (38-18, 77-46) and 3 ½ games ahead of third-place Clinton (29-27, 62-63) in the Midwest League Western Division second-half standings.
In his seventh Midwest League start, Appel (2-1) retired the first seven batters of the game before a third-inning, one-out single by Bees right fielder Riley Good. Bees shortstop Angel Rosa led off the fourth inning with a double to left field, and after left fielder Exicardo Cayones put down a sacrifice, Appel struck out designated hitter Matt Scioscia before a two-out wild pitch got away from catcher Jobduan Morales and allowed Rosa to score the game's first run. It was the only run allowed by Appel, who matched a career high with five innings and yielded two hits and no walks. He struck out four of the last five batters he faced.
In the bottom of the fourth, River Bandits first baseman Bobby Borchering was hit by a pitch, and third baseman Rio Ruiz drew a walk from right-hander Pat Lowery (4-8), who walked four batters in three-plus innings. Second baseman Austin Elkins loaded the bases by reaching on a bunt, and Morales drew a walk that forced home the tying run. With Lowery out of the game, right-hander Daniel Hurtado struck out right fielder Jordan Scott, before designated hitter Tony Kemp lined a two-run single into center field for a 3-1 lead.
Quad Cities added on in the sixth inning, as Scott pushed a one-out bunt past the mound for a single, and Kemp and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez drew consecutive walks against right-hander Austin Adams. Right-hander Joseph Krehbiel came in to get a fielder's choice groundout with the bases loaded, but left fielder Danry Vasquez hit a grounder that skipped past first baseman Garrett Cannizaro for a two-run single. Borchering added an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-1.
Lambson started the seventh inning and retired all six batters he faced, including three on strikeouts. Walter allowed an eighth-inning, two-out single by Good that broke a string of 14 batters retired in order, but he pitched two scoreless innings to finish the win.
Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, Aug. 20. 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 Tuesday, Aug. 20.
The River Bandits play the final game of the series against Burlington (23-33, 49-72) at 7 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader (1-0) is scheduled to face Bees left-hander Tyler DeLoach (5-3).
UP NEXT: Kids eat free, and all tickets are buy-one-get-one free for the Mega Astros Fantacular Giveaway at the River Bandits' 7 p.m. home game Tuesday. The River Bandits' home stand continues 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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