Teoscar Hernandez goes 4-for-5 with three runs as Quad Cities pounds out 14 hits in comeback win
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (MAY 15, 2013) - One night after losing a three-run lead to Wisconsin, the Quad Cities River Bandits fell behind, 4-1, after four innings but used four-run frames in the fifth and sixth innings, along with 14 hits, to overcome the Timber Rattlers for a 9-4 road win at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
The first four spots in the Quad Cities order went a combined 10-for-16 with five runs and six RBIs. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez went 4-for-5 with a game-high three runs scored. Shortstop Carlos Correa extended his hitting streak to six games with a 3-for-5 night, including a double, two runs and two RBIs. Designated hitter Miles Hamblin went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs, and three walks.
Hernandez started the offense by leading off the game with a single against right-hander Leonard Lorenzo. Two batters later, Hamblin hit a liner past first baseman Adam Giacalone into the right-field corner to bring in Hernandez. Quad Cities right-hander Lance McCullers worked a scoreless bottom of the first inning but was removed from the game with hip tightness.
Left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the bottom of the second inning and worked two scoreless frames before alowing the first five Wisconsin batters to reach base in the fourth on a walk, an error by shortstop Carlos Correa, a walk and consecutive RBI singles by third baseman Alfredo Rodriguez and catcher Brent Dean. Right-hander Michael Dimock (5-0) came on to allow two inherited runners to score before ending the inning with back-to-back strikeouts and a 4-1 deficit.
Quad Cities (22-16) responded quickly against Lorenzo in the top of the fifth, as catcher Roberto Pena drew a leadoff walk in front of four consecutive singles by left fielder Jordan Scott, Hernandez, Correa and Hamblin - with each of the last three bringing in runs for a 4-4 tie. Correa scored on a ground-ball double play by first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki against right-hander Taylor Mangum (1-3).
Dimock allowed a double, walk and hit batter to load the bases in the bottom of the fifth before striking out shortstop Orlando Arcia to preserve the one-run lead. The River Bandits added four runs against right-hander Damien Magnifico in the sixth, as second baseman Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk and in one play stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by catcher Brent Dean. Pena doubled and scored on a wild pitch, and Hernandez singled and scored on a double by Correa, who scored on Wierzbicki's RBI single for a 9-4 advantage.
Right-hander Daniel Minor made the lead stand, allowing three hits in four shutout innings for his first professional save.
The River Bandits and Timber Rattlers (18-18) play the rubber match of their series at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, when Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain (1-4) and right-hander Mike Hauschild (1-0) face Wisconsin right-handers Austin Blaski (2-0).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin their next home stand Friday, May 17, with Petrolpalooza Night - when berm tickets are 10 cents lower than the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline at BP, and bleacher tickets are 10 cents below the price of a premium unleaded gallon. Friday will also feature a Fireworks show presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WLLR and WQAD. 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.
