Quad Cities wins series opener in matchup of top two Western Division clubs
DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 8, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits second baseman Brian Blasik went 3-for-4, and left-hander Brian Holmes struck out eight to seal the deal on the River Bandits' Guaranteed Win Night with a 4-2 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 1,611 fans at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.
In the first inning, Blasik lined a double down the left-field line with one out to start the River Bandits offense. One batter later Austin "Catfish" Elkins, making his first start at shortstop this season, blooped a single to left to drive in Blasik and give Quad Cities a 1-0 lead.
After Cedar Rapids (21-9) had two first-inning singles, Holmes kept the Kernels hitless for 15 batters before allowing a two-out triple to Candido Pimentel in the fifth inning. Byron Buxton worked a walk against Holmes to put runners on the corners, and Quad Cities manager Omar Lopez went to his bullpen to call upon right-hander Michael Dimock. The Greensboro, N.C., native got Niko Goodrum to fly out to center to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth, Teoscar Hernandez belted a solo home run (2) into the back of the left field berm, to extend the lead to 2-0. Kernels first baseman Dalton Hicks returned the deficit to one in the sixth against right-hander Jordan Jankowski by hitting a solo blast to right that exited the stadium over the Built Ford Tough Deck for the Kernels' first run.
The River Bandits (19-11) added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to increase the lead. Jesse Wierzbicki led off the sixth frame with a walk. Ryan Dineen slapped a grounder back to the pitcher Brett Lee, who misfired on a fielder's choice attempt on Wierzbicki at second base. The error allowed Dineen and Wierzbicki to reach first and third base respectively. Wierzbicki was able to score on a double play off the bat of Roberto Peña. In the seventh, Jordan Scott walked and stole second. A bloop single off the bat of Blasik caused Scott to lie on the brakes while rounding third. A throwing error from third baseman Tyler Harrison - trying to catch Scott at third - trailed through shortstop Jorge Polanco into foul territory, allowing Scott to scamper home.
Cedar Rapids battled back in the ninth, getting a run on right-hander John Neely, but he stranded runners on second and third by striking out Buxton and retiring Goodrum on a groundout to shortstop for his sixth save. Jankowski (1-0) allowed one run and struck out three in two and one-third innings. Holmes struck out eight Cedar Rapids hitters in four and two-thirds innings as the first Bandits starter. River Bandits left-hander Mitchell Lambson delivered a perfect two-thirds of an inning of relief in the eighth and was credited with his third hold of the year. Lee (2-2) gave up three runs - two earned - on four hits in six innings and suffered the loss.
Wednesday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, May 9. 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 Thursday, May 9.
Quad Cities closed within two games of the first-place Kernels, who will visit Modern Woodmen Park at 7 p.m. Thursday. Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez (3-0) is scheduled to deliver the first pitch against right-hander Hudson Boyd (1-1) and the Kernels at 7 p.m.
UP NEXT: Thursday is the River Bandits' Nueve de Mayo party, which features $1.00 off margaritas and select domestic beers such as Corona and Dos Equis. There will also be $2.00 drink specials for Thirst-day Thursday presented by River Cities' Reader, The Quad Cities' CW and Rock 104-9. 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.
