Quad Cities draws season-high 12 walks, fans 14 Whitecaps in longest nine-inning game of the season
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (MAY 5, 2013) - In what began as a stellar performance by right-hander Lance McCullers and turned into a bullpen battle Sunday afternoon, the Quad Cities River Bandits rebounded from allowing West Michigan to tie the game in seventh inning, scored the go-ahead run in the eighth inning and left Whitecaps at every base for the final out of a 5-4 win at Fifth Third Ballpark.
McCullers set a career high with nine strikeouts in five shutout innings, allowing just two hits and a walk to the Whitecaps while Quad Cities (17-11) built a 3-0 lead to put McCullers in line for his first career victory. The River Bandits drew four walks to score a first-inning run against right-hander Montreal Robertson, who walked a career-high six batters in four innings. Quad Cities shortstop Joe Sclafani hit a fourth-inning RBI double, and left fielder Terrell Joyce hit a fifth-inning RBI single against left-hander Josh Turley.
Down 3-0, West Michigan (13-15) started its comeback in the sixth inning against right-hander Daniel Minor. The top three batters in the Whitecaps order - shortstop David Gonzalez, left fielder Danry Vasquez and second baseman Devon Travis - each singled to bring in a run. Minor escaped runners at second and third bases by striking out the final two batters. Quad Cities answered the run in the seventh, as second baseman Austin Elkins hit a leadoff single and scored to make it 4-1 when right fielder Zach Kirksey dropped a two-out fly ball.
The Whitecaps rallied to tie the game with three unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh. Minor walked catcher Bennett Pickar and allowed an infield single to third baseman Jared Reaves before getting a ground-ball double play off the bat of center fielder Austin Schotts for the first two outs. With Pickar at third base, Gonzalez hit a grounder to shortstop, but Sclafani dropped the ball, allowing the run to score and the inning to continue. Right-hander Michael Dimock (4-0) came on to relieve Minor and gave up an RBI triple to left-center field by Vasquez, followed by Travis' game-tying infield single up the middle. Minor was charged with three runs - one earned in 1 2/3 innings with one walk and two strikeouts. Dimock allowed two hits and an earned run in 1/3 of an inning.
In a 4-4 tie, River Bandits designated hitter Brian Blasik drew an eighth-inning leadoff walk against left-hander Logan Ehlers (0-1) and went to second base on a sacrifice by center fielder Teoscar Hernandez, who earlier extended an eight-game hitting streak. Sclafani then hit an infield single off Ehlers' glove, and Elkins brought home Blasik by pushing a bunt to the first-base side of the pitcher's mound.
With a 5-4 lead, left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the eighth inning and fanned the first two batters. In the ninth, Lambson got a groundout and a flyout, but left fielder Terrell Joyce lost the ball when bringing his glove hand down and was charged with an error. After Joyce caught a fly ball for the second out, right-hander John Neely came in and walked the first two batters on eight pitches to load the bases. With the tying and winning runs in scoring position, however, he fanned designated hitter Lance Durham for his fifth save.
Sunday's victory means 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 play the series and road trip finale at West Michigan at 5:35 p.m. Monday, as left-hander Colton Cain (0-3) and right-hander Mike Hauschild (1-0) face right-hander Charles Gillies, making his season debut.
UP NEXT: Time is running out to reserve tickets for the Mother's Day Brunch on the Sky Deck of Modern Woodmen Park. Reservations must be made in advance by Monday, May 6, for the brunch preceding the River Bandits game Sunday, May 12. 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 began the season with a great start, and they sit in second place in the Midwest League's Western Division. Meanwhile, the team's 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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!
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