Quad Cities takes rubber match over West Michigan to finish 3-3 Eastern Division road trip
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (MAY 6, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain delivered his best outing of the season, tossing five shutout innings, and four River Bandits had multi-hit games to help the visitors take the deciding game of a series over the West Michigan Whitecaps with an 8-3 road win at Fifth Third Ballpark Monday night.
For a second consecutive day, the River Bandits first starter pitched five shutout innings. Cain (1-3) held the Whitecaps to three hits, and West Michigan (13-16) only advanced one runner to third base - right fielder Jake Stewart in the second inning - in the first five frames. It was the longest outing for Cain since his first start on April 6, and his first without allowing a run since April 12.
Quad Cities (18-11) never trailed in the game once it scored two runs in the second inning against right-hander Charlie Gillies (0-1). First baseman Jesse Wierzbicki grounded a leadoff double down the left-field line and scored when Gillies threw Ryan Dineen's bunt past first base, allowing Dineen to reach second and later score on an RBI single by left fielder Jordan Scott to make it 2-0.
In his Midwest League debut, Gillies finished 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs - one earned - while walking one and striking out four River Bandits. Right-hander Edgar De La Rosa came on in relief in the third inning and shut out Quad Cities through the fifth inning. In the sixth, however, second baseman Austin Elkins hit a leadoff double and scored on Dineen's sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.
The third run proved critical in the bottom of the sixth, as right-hander Mike Hauschild allowed consecutive singles to designated hitter Devon Travis - whose hit extended a league-best 16-game hitting streak - and first baseman Jeff Holm. A groundout by third baseman Mario Martinez and a two-out single by second baseman Jared Reaves closed the Whitecaps within 3-2. After Reaves stole second base, Hauschild struck out catcher Adolfo Reina to end the threat. West Michigan came closest to tying the game in the seventh inning, as two hits and a one-out walk loaded the bases against Hauschild. But after a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Borkowski, Hauschild got Holm to ground to Elkins, who began an inning-ending double play.
Quad Cities pulled away by batting around in the eighth inning. De La Rosa started the inning by walking shortstop Joe Sclafani and Elkins. After a fielder's choice, Dineen put down his second bunt single to make it 4-2. Catcher Roberto Peña, who earlier extended his team-best hitting streak to 12 games, singled to left field for a 5-2 lead to chase De La Rosa. Left-hander Josh Turley then gave up an RBI groundout by right fielder Ariel Ovando and later a two-run triple by Scott for an 8-2 margin.
River Bandits right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched the final two innings and allowed a leadoff triple and run in the ninth for the 8-3 final.
The victories Sunday and Monday mean The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 7. 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, May 7. Quad Cities will begin a three-game series against first-place Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park.
UP NEXT: Wednesday, May 8, marks the start of a six-game home stand for the River Bandits, as Guaranteed Win Night and a U.S. Bank Pay Your Bill Wednesday also presented by Mix 96 kick off a series between the top two teams in the Midwest League Western Division. 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.
