Quad Cities has one hit among its final 20 batters to lose second straight game at Kane County
GENEVA, Ill. (August 14, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits took a 3-2 lead Wednesday night on a third-inning single by third baseman J.D. Davis, but they had just one baserunner for the rest of the game, and the Kane County Cougars scored four runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 6-3 lead that remained until the end of a second straight win at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.
Kane County (31-20 second half, 76-45 overall) won its sixth straight game against Quad Cities (25-26, 60-60) after the Western Division rivals split their first 10 games. In a rematch of the Opening Day pitching matchup at Modern Woodmen Park April 3, Cougars right-hander Paul Blackburn and River Bandits right-hander Andrew Thurman (5-8) combined to allow all the game's runs. After the third inning, pitchers for both teams combined to allow four singles without a walk or runner in scoring position with 12 strikeouts.
Blackburn allowed a leadoff single to center fielder James Ramsay, who matched a season high with a hit in his seventh straight game and was the only River Bandit with two hits Wednesday. Ramsay stole second base, but Blackburn retired three straight to end the inning.
In the bottom of the first inning, Cougars second baseman Daniel Lockhart hit a one-out triple to right-center field, and catcher Ben Carhart hit Thurman's next pitch down the right-field line for an opposite-field, two-run home run - his fifth of the season - and a 2-0 Cougars lead.
Quad Cities scored its three runs and had all but two of its hits in the third inning. Catcher Brett Booth hit Blackburn's first pitch of the inning over the left-center field fence for his fifth home run. Ramsay hit a one-out single and stole second base for the second time and his 26th steal of the season - the most by a Quad Cities player since Dan Nelson's 27 in 2006. First baseaman Chase McDonald drew a two-out walk, and designated hitter A.J. Reed hit a game-tying single to right field that sent McDonald to third base. Davis' single extended his own six-game hitting streak, sent Reed to third base and scored McDonald for a 3-2 Quad Cities lead. Blackburn got left fielder Ryan Bottger on a groundout and retired four straight batters to finish four innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits with a walk and two strikeouts. It was Blackburn's shortest outing since June 4.
With his team's only lead of the game, Thurman began the bottom of the third inning by walking center fielder Trey Martin, striking out left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr., walking Carhart and striking out Carhart. With two outs, designated hitter Victor Caratini lined a game-tying single to right field. Thurman went to a 3-2 count before walking first baseman Jacob Rogers, and also went to 3-2 against third baseman Jeimer Candelario before a walk that forced home the go-ahead run. Right-hander Keegan Yuhl entered to allow a two-run bloop single to right field by right fielder Jeffrey Baez to make it 6-3. Thurman was charged with six earned runs on three hits and four walks - matching a season high - with four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings - his shortest outing since May 1.
After allowing Baez's hit, Yuhl retired the next nine batters and 10 of 11 to finish a career-high 3 1/3 innings, allowing two singles with three strikeouts. Left-hander Chris Cotton allowed one single with two strikeouts in two scoreless innings. Meanwhile, Cougars left-hander Michael Heesch (3-1) worked three perfect innings, and right-hander Francisco Carrillo went two scoreless innings for his second save.
Quad Cities concludes its series against Kane County at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. River Bandits right-hander Troy Scribner (0-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Duane Underwood (5-4).
UP NEXT: A Fireworks Friday kicks off the next homestand, with a 7 p.m. game on City of Davenport Night and Global Cultural Night presented by Tyson Fresh Meats. When gates open at 4:30 p.m. Saturday, the first 1,500 fans receive a Trevor Rosenthal Bobblehead courtesy of DHCU and FOX18. Sunday's 1:15 p.m. game is a Celebration and Appreciation of Senator Tom Harkin for 40 years of service with a bobblehead giveaway for the first 1,000 fans when gates open at noon. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership recently made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 105 feet over the playing field, opened May 24, and Space Camp opened June 20; the newly expanded 300-foot long zip line has also reopened. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. Last season, the team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.
