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.
