Quad Cities loses lead for third straight game to suffer first road sweep in the second half
CLINTON, Iowa (AUG. 16, 2013) - Clinton LumberKings right-hander David Holman allowed just one run in 7 2/3 innings Friday night, and after being held to one hit throught he first five innings, his teammates scored six runs on six hits in the sixth inning for a 6-1 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Ashford University Field.
The River Bandits (30-22 second half, 68-53 overall) were swept in a road series for the first time in the second half and lost their fourth straight game in their longest losing streak since four consecutive losses July 10-13. Quad Cities trails Cedar Rapids by 4 ½ games in the Midwest League Western Division second-half standings. The LumberKings (27-26, 60-62) outscored their opponent 21-13 in the series and won their fifth game in a row to remain tied with Peoria for third place in the division.
Quad Cities took a lead for a third consecutive night. In the second inning, left fielder Danry Vasquez and first baseman Bobby Borchering each singled and ended up at third base and first base, respectively. Third baseman Rio Ruiz then tapped a ground ball along the edge of the grass along the third-base line for an infield hit that allowed Vasquez to score the go-ahead run. But Holman (3-6) got right fielder Jordan Scott to bunt into a fielder's choice and catcher Roberto Pena to fly out, before LumberKings catcher Tyler Marlette threw out Ruiz at third base when he tried to advance on a pitch in the dirt.
After allowing four hits in the first two innings, Holman only allowed one more runner to reach scoring position and set down 12 batters in a row during one stretch. By the time River Banidts second baseman Austin Elkins broke the string with an eighth-inning single, Holman had recorded six strikeouts while walking one batter. Right-hander Oliver Garcia pitched the final 1 1/3 innings for Clinton.
Quad Cities right-hander Chris Devenski (2-3) made it a pitcher's duel by shutting out Clinton for the first five innings. He allowed one hit, four total baserunners and only one runner in scoring position through the first five innings.
In the sixth inning, however, LumberKings right fielder Gaby Guerrero hit a leadoff double to left field, and when shortstop Martin Peguero put down a bunt toward Devenski, the pitcher threw the ball down the left-field line, allowing the tying run to score and Peguero to reach second base. After a sacrifice by shortstop Brock Hebert, second baseman Tim Lopes lined a double down the third-base line for the go-ahead tally. Left fielder Dario Pizzano followed with an RBI double, and Marlette added an RBI single to end Devenski's night after 5 1/3 innings. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson came in and allowed a walk before two more singles grew the lead to 6-1. Devenski was charged with five runs on five hits and two walks with two strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Lambson worked 2 2/3 innings in relief and recorded a season-high six strikeouts.
The River Bandits open a seven-game homestand at 7 p.m. Saturday against the Burlington Bees. River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (3-2) is scheduled to face Bees left-hander Brandon Love (3-6, 3.99).
UP NEXT: The first 2,000 fans to Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night will receive a bobblehead of Minnesota Twins first baseman and former River Bandit Justin Morneau, courtesy of Mediacom and the Dispatch-Argus. The 7 p.m. game kicks off a seven-game home stand through Friday, Aug. 23. 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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