Quad Cities moves within 5 ½ games of Cedar Rapids and reduces playoff magic number to 5
DAVENPORT, Iowa (AUG. 22, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski pitched a season-high seven innings of nine-hit, one-run ball, and his teammates broke a 1-1 tie with a four-run fifth inning in a 7-1 win that snapped the Cedar Rapids Kernels' eight-game winning streak in front of 3,882 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.
The River Bandits (34-24 second half, 72-55 overall) moved within 5 ½ games of the first-place Kernels (40-18, 80-46) in the Midwest League Western Division second-half standings. With a loss by the Peoria Chiefs Thursday, Quad Cities' magic number to clinch a second-half playoff berth is five. Any combination of Peoria losses and Quad Cities wins adding to five clinches the latter a playoff spot.
Devenski (3-3) worked around a pair of singles in the first inning and lone singles in the second and third. In the fourth, he allowed a leadoff double by Kernels right fielder Adam Brett Walker, and designated hitter Bo Altobelli hit a one-out RBI single that made it 1-0. Altobelli tried scoring from second base on a two-out single by catcher Michael Quesada, but center fielder Teoscar Hernandez threw him out at the plate to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth, Hernandez hit a leadoff single for the first hit against right-hander Jose Berrios (7-6). Hernandez then stole second base, went to third on a groundout and scored on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Danry Vasquez. In a 1-1, fifth-inning tie, designated hitter Austin Elkins drew a one-out walk, and catcher Roberto Pena singled to put runners at first and third bases. Right fielder Jordan Scott then put a bunt single up the first-base line that brought in Elkins for the go-ahead run. Second baseman Tony Kemp grounded an RBI single to right field, and shortstop Carlos Correa later smacked a two-run double to left-center field off right-hander Christian Powell. All five runs were charged to Berrios, who allowed four hits and three walks while striking out four batters in 4 2/3 innings.
Devenski retired six straight batters in the fifth and sixth innings, and after two straight singles opened the seventh, he struck out the next three hitters to finish with a season-high eight. It was the first seven-inning start for Quad Cities since Joe Bircher's seven innings Aug. 3. Right-hander Zach Morton followed with two scoreless innings to finish the win.
Quad Cities added a pair of runs off Powell in the seventh, with two Kernels errors and two walks adding to a Hernandez single.
The River Bandits' scoring of at least seven runs activates the "Lucky Seven Run" promotion, as American TV & Appliance at 4800 Elmore Avenue in Davenport will offer a 40% discount on select furniture Friday, Aug. 23. Thursday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount Friday, Aug. 23. 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 Friday, Aug. 23.
The River Bandits and Kernels meet for their final regular-season game at 7 p.m. Friday. Quad Cities left-hander Joe Bircher (3-3) will start against Cedar Rapids right-hander Hudson Boyd (4-4).
UP NEXT: Fireworks will follow the final game of the River Bandits' home stand Friday night. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game, and the first 1,500 fans receive a free Bier Stube beanie. It's also City of Davenport Night and John Deere United Way of Caring. 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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