SOLID PITCHING SECURES BANDITS' SWEEP OF RATTLERS

Dykxhoorn, McNitt, and Thompson throw eight shutout innings in 6-1 win

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 2, 2015) - Brock Dykxhoorn threw five shutout innings for the second consecutive start, and the Quad Cities River Bandits offense recorded a double-digit hit total for the second straight night, as the River Bandits beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 6-1, for their seventh straight win in front of 3,825 at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday night.

Dykxhoorn (6-3) repeated his July 26 outing in Burlington by not allowing a run in five innings. Bettering his other numbers from last Sunday, Dykxhoorn struck out eight while allowing only one hit. In his return to the active roster, Brandon McNitt followed with two shutout innings of his own, allowing two hits and striking out a pair. Ryan Thompson struck out two and walked one in a scoreless eighth inning, while Angel Heredia allowed the lone run to Wisconsin (13-23 second half, 36-70 overall) on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Sthervin Matos in the ninth inning.

The River Bandits (24-14, 69-36) got to Timber Rattlers starter David Burkhalter (3-7) early, striking for three runs in the bottom of the second. With one out, first baseman Bryan Muñiz, who had reached in six straight plate appearances coming into the day, doubled to left center field. In the second inning, second baseman Jose Fernandez followed the Muniz double with a booming shot to left that landed halfway up the berm, his first home run in the Midwest League this season, making it a 2-0 Quad Cities lead. Catcher Garrett Stubbs followed the homer with a walk, and after third baseman Luis Reynoso struck out swinging, advanced to second on a walk to shortstop Kristian Trompiz. Jason Martin then singled to right, scoring Stubbs from second base and increasing the River Bandits lead to 3-0.

A Stubbs walk in the fourth inning started another run-scoring rally, followed by a bunt single by Reynoso and a Trompiz sacrifice bunt, moving runners to second and third. Martin hit a fly ball to left field, deep enough to score Stubbs from third, making it 4-0, and center fielder Bobby Boyd followed with a double off the top of the ribbon board in right field, scoring Reynoso and making it a 5-0 game.

That score remained until the seventh, when Fernandez reached on a fielder's choice and went to third base on a Stubbs single, but Wisconsin third baseman Sthervin Matos made a throwing error trying to get Stubbs at second base, which allowed Fernandez to score.

Muñiz set a River Bandits season high by extending his on-base streak to nine consecutive plate appearances. After his first-inning double, he was hit by a pitch in the third inning and had a bloop double down the right-field line in the fifth inning before flying out to center field in the seventh inning.

The entire Midwest League has an off day on Monday, and the River Bandits will look to extend their seven-game winning streak on Tuesday with the first of three games against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Right-hander Justin Ferrell (2-2, 2.77) will be on the mound for Quad Cities, while right-hander Yonny Chirinos (3-1, 0.75) will throw for Bowling Green.

THREE BANDITS COMBINE TO SHUT OUT WISCONSIN

After James, Freeman and Ferrell blank Wisconsin, Quad Cities has its most shutouts since 2010

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 1, 2015) - Joshua James went 5 2/3 shutout innings, followed by Michael Freeman retiring seven straight batters and Riley Ferrell working a scoreless inning, while the Quad Cities River Bandits' offense pounded out 15 hits in their sixth straight win - a 5-0 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers in front of 7,318 at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night.

The River Bandits (23-13 second half, 68-36 overall) had a hit from every player in their lineup to extend the club's longest winning streak since a season-high 12-game winning streak April 29-May 11. Quad Cities became the first team in baseball to win 68 games this season and continued to improve upon the franchise's best overall record - now 32 games above .500 - in 23 seasons.

After allowing 11 runs in his last 11 innings, James (4-2) allowed just six men to reach on Saturday, yielding three hits and walking three batters while striking out four. With a 3-0 lead, the right-hander gave way to Freeman in the sixth inning with runners at first and second bases and two out. A passed ball moved two runners into scoring position before Freeman struck out McCall, ending the inning. Freeman went on to strike out three more in his outing, turning things over to Ferrell in the ninth. Ferrell walked one batter in an otherwise spotless inning to lower his earned run average to 1.20 in 10 appearances and close the door on the club's 11th shutout - its most in five seasons.

Wisconsin (13-22, 36-69) put James in a jam right away with back-to-back, two-out baserunners in the first inning on a hit by catcher Carlos Leal and a walk to right fielder Elvis Rubio. James was able to recover, getting first baseman Alan Sharkey to pop out to shortstop Kristian Trompiz to end the inning. The Timber Rattlers had only three baserunners reach scoring position, with one left on base in the first inning and two in the sixth inning.

The River Bandits' offense got started with a first-inning, two-out rally of their own. Second baseman Nick Tanielu doubled to left and then scored on a Ryan Bottger single to left field to put Quad Cities ahead, 1-0. After a walk to designated hitter Ramon Laureano, third baseman Jose Fernandez drove in Bottger on a base hit to right, doubling the lead.

Quad Cities added another run in the third inning. Laureano walked and was eventually retired at home plate on a fielder's choice that allowed Fernandez to reach first base. Then first baseman Bryan Muñiz singled to left field, and an error by Wisconsin left fielder Mitch Meyer allowed Fernandez to score the third run of the game. Timber Rattlers left-hander David Carver (1-2) was charged with three runs - two earned - on eight hits and three walks with one strikeout in 5 1/3 innings.

The last two runs of the night for the River Bandits came in the eighth inning against left-hander Tyler Linehan. Fernandez led off with an infield single and stole second base before scoring on a single by Muñiz. A wild pitch moved Muñiz to second base with one out, and Trompiz reached on an infield single to put runners at first and third bases. Martin added an RBI single to right field to score Muñiz for a 5-0 River Bandits lead.

RECORD MODERN WOODMEN PARK CROWD BOOSTS BANDITS

Quad Cities treats 8,207 to fifth straight win to improve to 31 games above .500

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 1, 2015) - In front of 8,207 - the franchise's largest home crowd in at least 14 seasons - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Elieser Hernandez pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings for his first Midwest League win, and All-Star third baseman Nick Tanielu went 3-for-4 with three RBIs in a 7-1 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Modern Woodmen Park Friday night.

The River Bandits (22-13 second half, 67-36 overall) won their fifth straight game for their longest winning streak since a season-high 12-game winning streak April 29-May 11. They are also 31 games above .500 for what is believed to be the first time in 23 seasons. The 1992 Quad City River Bandits went 91-46 overall and were the last team in franchise history to finish a season at least 29 games above .500.

Before Wisconsin (13-21, 36-68) managed a hit off Hernandez (1-1), Quad Cities built a 4-0 lead in the second inning. Timber Rattlers right-hander Angel Ventura (5-5) began the bottom of the second inning by walking left fielder Drew Ferguson. After right fielder Ramon Laureano flied out to left field, second baseman Jose Fernandez hit a line drive down the third-base line for an RBI triple. First baseman Ryan Bottger lined out to Timber Rattlers first baseman Alan Sharkey for the second out, but catcher Trent Woodward reached when second baseman Tucker Neuhaus made an errant throw to first base, allowing Fernandez to score. The error extended the inning for shortstop Kristian Trompiz, who hit his fifth home run (first since June 1) over the Modern Woodmen Berm in left field for a 4-0 lead.

Hernandez yielded his first hit with two outs in the third inning, when Timber Rattlers shortstop Blake Allemand doubled to right field. Hernandez responded by striking out three of the next four batters. The only Wisconsin baserunner to reach third base against Hernandez was third baseman Sthervin Matos in the fifth inning. Hernandez hit Matos with a pitch for the second time in the game to lead off the fifth inning, and after left fielder Mitch Meyer's sacrifice and center fielder Francisco Castillo's two-out infield single, Hernandez got Allemand to fly out to center field, stranding runners at first and third bases with a 4-0 lead.

The River Bandits added a run off Ventura in the fifth inning, after designated hitter Jason Martin reached following a strikeout on Ventura's second wild pitch. Tanielu then doubled to right field, bringing in Martin for a 5-0 lead. Ventura lasted five innings, allowing five runs - two earned - on six hits and one walk with seven strikeouts. Right-hander Gian Rizzo pitched a scoreless bottom of the sixth inning.

The last two River Bandits runs came off left-hander Kodi Medeiros in the seventh inning. Woodward hit a leadoff infield single before Trompiz reached on a fielder's choice, and Martin drew a one-out walk. Tanielu then drove in both baserunners with a double to center field over Castillo to make it 7-0. Tanielu's three hits Friday raised his batting average to .313 - fourth-highest in the Midwest League and best among players on Western Division teams - and his three RBIs Friday gave him a season total of 56 - the fourth-most in the league.

Hernandez scattered four hits and one walk while striking out eight batters, including the first two in the seventh inning. But Neuhaus then hit an infield single over the pitcher's mound that ended Hernandez's night. Right-hander Jorge Perez got the last out of the inning but allowed the only Wisconsin run in the eighth inning. Allemand led off by reaching second base on a dropped fly ball by center fielder Bobby Boyd. Right fielder Elvis Rubio reached on an infield single, with a throwing error by Trompiz sending Allemand to third base. Sharkey grounded an RBI single into right field before Perez got the last two outs of the inning, allowing one unearned run on two hits with one strikeout in 1 1/3 innings. Left-hander Zach Davis worked around a leadoff walk for a scoreless ninth inning to end the 7-1 victory.

DES MOINES, IA (07/30/2015)(readMedia)-- "Fair Tour" 2015 is set to embark in two weeks. You won't want to miss over half a million dollars of jaw-dropping free stage entertainment, mouthwatering food, top livestock competitions and so much more.

Fairgoers can enjoy their old favorites and find some new adventures. The free entertainment line-up is filled with rising stars and annual favorites. The Fair's four main stages offer free entertainment with gate admission. They feature a wide array of music genres with acts like Here Come the Mummies, Village People, 38 Special, Big Smo and more. Check out the newly remodeled MidAmerican Energy Stage, formerly known as the Fairview Stage, where you can see the Opening Ceremonies and acts like Sir-Mix-A-Lot and The Nadas.

Sixteen new foods will debut at this year's Fair, including sweet treats like Apple Pie On-A-Stick and Toasted Coconut Caramel Cluster as well as hearty snacks like the Ultimate Bacon Brisket Bomb and Deep Fried Nacho Balls. These foods join the nearly 200 food stands with more than 70 delectable items served on-a-stick. Three top contenders are vying for the 2015 Iowa State Fair New Food Award so make sure to vote for your favorite at iowastatefair.org/newfoodcontest.

The Fair also boasts one of the world's largest livestock shows, with nearly 6,000 exhibitors and over 20,000 entries ranging from cattle and llamas to hogs. Don't miss the Big Boar winner and the famous Super Bull.

Thrill rides located west of the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center offer Fairgoers even more exciting experiences with the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster, Sling Shot, Sky Scraper, Climbing Experience and Turbo Trampoline. Also, be sure to enjoy the view as you leap from the 28-foot tower and fly 130 feet across the grounds on the zipline.

Of course, you will need to visit Fair favorites including the Butter Cow, various crazy contests, the state's largest art show and the largest foods department of any state fair. Be sure to check out the Fair's great line-up of kids' activities from family friendly stage entertainment to hands-on agriculture education.

Plan your trip today at http://www.iowastatefair.org/daily-events/daily-schedule/.

Advanced admission tickets are available now at the Iowa State Fair Ticket Office, area Iowa Hy-Vee and Fareway stores and online at iowastatefair.org. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, August 13-23.

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BANDITS RALLY FOR 12-INNING WIN, SWEEP IN BELOIT

With fourth straight win, Quad Cities moves 30 games above .500 for first time in at least 14 seasons

BELOIT, Wis. (July 31, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits third baseman Luis Reynoso hit a game-tying, two-run double with one out in the ninth inning, and second baseman Nick Tanielu hit a go-ahead RBI single in the 12^th inning of a 4-3 win over the Beloit Snappers and a three-game series sweep - the team's first since May 9 - at Pohlman Field Thursday night.

With four straight wins for the first time since June 30, the River Bandits (21-13 second half, 66-36 overall) moved 30 games above .500 for the first time in at least 14 seasons. Quad Cities has played 15 extra-inning games this season - its most since 15 in 2010.

Thursday's game began as a pitchers' duel. In his Midwest League debut, River Bandits right-hander Agapito Barrios retired the first 11 batters he faced, before first baseman Max Kuhn singled to left-center field with two outs in the fourth inning. Barrios then set down the next four batters, completing five shutout innings and holding the Snappers (14-19, 40-63) to one hit and no walks with three strikeouts.

Beloit right-hander Joey Wagman scattered four hits in the first five innings but allowed a run in the sixth inning. With two outs, River Bandits center fielder Ramon Laureano doubled to deep left field, and designated hitter Bryan Muñiz dropped a popup RBI double down the right-field line between Kuhn, second baseman Gabriel Santana and right fielder Shawn Duinkerk. Catcher Garrett Stubbs singled, and Muñiz ran toward home, but he was thrown out by the relay from left fielder Justin Higley to third baseman Jose Brizuela to catcher Iolana Akau for the third out of the inning. Wagman allowed one earned run on seven hits and one walk with five strikeouts in six innings.

With a 1-0 lead, River Bandits right-hander Dean Deetz made his Midwest League debut starting the sixth inning. He worked around a leadoff single by Santana in the sixth inning and a leadoff double by Kuhn in the seventh inning to keep the Snappers off the board. In the eighth inning, however, Duinkerk hit a popup down the third-base line, which Reynoso overran as he came from his shifted position, allowing Duinkerk to reach second base with a double. Designated hitter Joe Bennie then hit a game-tying double past Laureano in center field, and shortstop Mikey White drove in Bennie with a go-ahead double on a line drive down the third-base line. Kuhn walked to put runners at first and second bases, and Deetz was removed for left-hander Zach Davis. Brizuela grounded an infield single to the shortstop hole, but shifted shortstop Kristian Trompiz overthrew first base, allowing White to score to make it 3-1. All three runs - two earned - were charged to Deetz, who allowed five hits and two walks with four strikeouts in 2 1/3 innings.

With a 3-1 lead, Snappers left-hander Jose Torres began the ninth inning by walking Laureano on four pitches and Muñiz on eight. After Stubbs advanced Laureano and pinch runner Bobby Boyd with a ground-ball to Torres, Reynoso lined a 1-0 pitch down the left-field line to score both runs. Torres struck out Trompiz and left fielder Jason Martin to end the inning. In a 3-3 tie, Davis completed one relief inning, allowing one hit and striking out three batters, before right-hander Angel Heredia entered to pitch 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Beloit got an 11th-inning leadoff double by Akau, but Heredia stranded him at third base.

In the decisive 12th inning, Trompiz led off against right-hander Kevin Johnson (2-6) with a double down the left-field line, Martin reached on a bunt single, and after a fielder's choice, Tanielu hit a chopper over Brizuela into left field to score Trompiz. In the bottom of the inning, right-hander Ryan Thompson retired all three batters for his fifth save.

After going 6-3 in a nine-game, 10-day road stretch, Quad Cities opens a season-long nine-game, 10-day homestand at Modern Woodmen Park at 7 p.m. Friday against Wisconsin. River Bandits right-hander Elieser Hernandez (0-1) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers right-hander Angel Ventura (5-4) in the opener of a three-game series.

UP NEXT: Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday for the 7 p.m. game on John Deere Night. Following the game will be fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of Quad Cities, WLLR and WQAD. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

BLASTS AND BOUNCES HELP BANDITS BEAT BELOIT

Quad Cities hits three home runs in one inning for first time in five years

BELOIT, Wis. (July 29, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits designated hitter Ryan Bottger, left fielder Jason Martin and All-Star third baseman Nick Tanielu each homered in a four-run fifth inning, and right-handers Eric Peterson and Riley Ferrell combined for five scoreless relief innings in a 4-3 win over the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field Wednesday night.

Beloit catcher Argenis Raga missed a two-out wild pitch from right-hander Brett Graves (9-5) on a third strike that would have ended the fifth inning with a 1-1 tie. That opened the door for the first three-home run inning by Quad Cities (20-13 second half, 65-36 overall) since hitting three in the first inning of an 8-7 win at Bowling Green July 22, 2010. Raga later appeared to hit a game-tying double in the seventh inning, but the ball bounced over the fence for a ground-rule play to keep the tying run from scoring. That preserved the lead to help Quad Cities achieve its first three-game winning streak since July 4 and move 29 games above .500 for the first time since Sept. 5, 2010 (83-54).

For the second straight night, Beloit (14-18, 40-62) took a first-inning lead. Snappers center fielder James Harris and designated hitter Max Kuhn hit consecutive one-out singles to left field, and River Bandits right-hander Justin Ferrell walked All-Star first baseman Sandber Pimentel to load the bases. Catcher Argenis Raga then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field for a 1-0 Beloit lead.

Graves allowed one hit and two walks in the first four innings. In the fifth inning, Bottger led off by swatting an 0-1 pitch over the right-field wall for a game-tying solo home run - the first Graves had yielded in three starts against Quad Cities. In a 1-1 tie, Graves retired the next two batters before striking out center fielder Bobby Boyd, but the pitch eluded Raga toward foul territory on the first-base side, allowing Boyd to reach first base. Martin then launched a 2-1 pitch over the left-center field wall for an opposite-field home run - his eighth to lead all active River Bandits - and Tanielu followed by hitting a 2-1 pitch from Graves over the left-center field wall. Graves departed after allowing right fielder Drew Ferguson's single, extending his 10-game hitting streak - the longest active streak by a River Bandit. Graves allowed four earned runs on five hits and two walks with six strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. Right-hander Carlos Navas entered to toss 2 1/3 innings of one-hit shutout relief, and right-hander Koby Gauna did not allow a hit or run in the final two innings.

The Snappers trimmed the deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning by putting the first five batters on base against Ferrell. Second baseman Jose Fernandez dropped a leadoff ground ball by right fielder Shawn Duinkerk, and second baseman Tim Proudfoot and left fielder Joe Bennie followed with back-to-back singles to load the bases. Ferrell then missed the strike zone on the next eight pitches, walking both Harris and Kuhn to force in two runs. With a 4-3 lead and the bases loaded with no outs, Peterson (6-4) struck out Pimentel on three pitches, got Raga to pop out to shallow right field, and put away third baseman Jose Brizuela on a foul popup to first base to keep the lead.

Peterson became Quad Cities' first six-game winner of the season by striking out a career-high five batters and matching a season and career high of three innings pitched. He struck out the side around a single in the sixth inning and kept the lead with help from a fortunate bounce in the seventh inning. Pimentel reached on a two-out bunt single against a shifted infield, before Raga struck a fly ball to deep left-center field, where the ball that could have scored Pimentel bounced over the fence for a ground-rule double, placing Pimentel at third base. Brizuela walked to load the bases before shortstop Mikey White hit a sharp ground ball that Fernandez fielded for an inning-ending forceout at second base. Ferrell allowed one walk and struck out two batters in two hitless innings for his first professional save.

BANDITS STING BEES WITH 3-RUN 8TH INNING

Quad Cities earns its 27th comeback win of the season in series rubber match

BURLINGTON, Iowa (July 26, 2015) - In his first start since July 2, Brock Dykxhoorn threw five shutout innings, allowing three hits and striking out three, and a three-run top of the eighth inning lifted the Quad Cities River Bandits over the Burlington Bees by a score of 5-4 at Community Field Sunday afternoon.

Dykxhoorn, who left the game after five innings with a 2-0 lead, saw that lead erased by four runs by the Bees (12-19 second half, 47-53 overall) in their half of the sixth inning against reliever Joshua James (3-2).

Trailing 4-2, the River Bandits (18-13, 63-36) began their eighth-inning comeback after shortstop Alex Bregman began the inning with a ground ball misplayed by third baseman Erick Salcedo. First baseman Nick Tanielu followed with a walk, putting two on with nobody out against Burlington reliever Jacob Kopra (0-1). After right fielder Drew Ferguson struck out swinging, center fielder Ramon Laureano singled to load the bases with one out, knocking Kopra out of the game in favor of Bees closer Eduardo Paredes. Pitching for the second straight game, Paredes struggled initially, as right fielder Sean McMullen hit a ball to the warning track in right, more than deep enough to score Bregman from third and bring Quad Cities within one. With two outs, back-to-back RBI singles by catcher Trent Woodward and third baseman Luis Reynoso scored Tanielu and Laureano, respectively, putting the River Bandits ahead, 5-4.

The eighth inning erased a lead the Bees had built with a four-run sixth inning. Bees second baseman Tim Arakawa began Burlington's sixth-inning rally with a hit against James, followed by a fly ball to left off the bat of first baseman Nick Flair. The next three men all reached base for the Bees, beginning with a single by designated hitter Steven Mateo. Left fielder Trever Allen was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with one out for right fielder Natanael Delgado, who hit a ball to deep left-center field for a two-run, game-tying double. With Salcedo batting, James threw a wild pitch that allowed Delgado to advance to third and Allen to score for a 4-2 Burlington lead. After Salcedo struck out, the lead became two on a base hit by catcher Brandon Gildea.

Quad Cities had taken the game's first lead, wasting no time getting on the board in the first inning. Center fielder Bobby Boyd and Bregman each drew walks against Burlington starter Jake Jewell, with Boyd scoring on Tanielu's single, the 47th RBI of the season for the Quad Cities All-Star. The Bandits' second run came in a bases-loaded, no-out situation in the fourth inning. Ferguson led off with a single before Laureano, attempting to sacrifice the runner over, reached on a bunt single, and McMullen was hit on the foot by Jewell to load the bases for Woodward, who bounced into a double play to short, scoring the runner from third in the process for a 2-0 River Bandits lead.

After Quad Cities regained the lead in the eighth inning, Angel Heredia pitched spotless innings in both the eighth and ninth innings, striking out three batters to record his fifth save of the year.

After a Midwest League-wide off day Monday, the River Bandits will finish their road stretch with three games in Beloit beginning Tuesday. River Bandits right-hander Christian Powell (2-1, 2.53) is scheduled to face Snappers right-hander Junior Mendez (3-7, 5.10).

UP NEXT: Vote now until Monday for the Quad Cities River Bandits in the Quad-City Times Readers' Choice Awards. The River Bandits are up for Best Entertainment Venue, Best Family Entertainment, Best Place for a Kid's Birthday Party, and Best Place to Take Out of Town Guest. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

Strong, timely pitching holds Quad Cities away from victory

BURLINGTON, Iowa (July 25, 2015) - Burlington Bees starter Austin Robichaux shut out the Quad Cities River Bandits for the first six innings, and Bees right fielder Trever Allen was 3-for-4 and drove in three runs in his team's 4-3 win at Community Field Saturday night.

The one-run margin of victory for Burlington (12-18 second half, 47-52 overall) marked the second straight game and seventh this season decided by one run between the Bees and River Bandits (17-13, 62-36) in their first 16 meetings this season.

Robichaux (8-6) earned his second win in three starts against Quad Cities by pitching six-plus innings, allowing one run on three hits while striking out two and walking four. Robichaux departed after allowing a hit and two walks to the first three batters in the seventh inning.

Burlington got on the board against Quad Cities starter Elieser Hernandez (0-1) in the third inning on a rally started by a one-out single by center fielder Ayendy Perez. Second baseman Tim Arakawa singled, advancing Perez to third. First baseman Nick Flair then hit a fly ball to right that was caught by Drew Ferguson, but deep enough to score Perez from third. Catcher Wade Wass followed with a walk, advancing Arakawa to second. Allen singled home Arakawa on a base hit to center field to double the Bees' lead to 2-0. The runs off Hernandez were the first the right-hander had allowed after 22 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings dating back to a June 29 outing in the Short-Season Class-A New York-Penn League with the Tri-City ValleyCats.

Burlington doubled its lead in the fifth inning against Hernandez on a one-out single by Wass and a home run by Allen - his fourth of the season - off the top of the second tier of signage in left field. Hernandez, who struck out three batters in his first two innings, allowed one hit in each of the first, second, and fourth innings, despite his struggles in the third and fifth.

Ryan Thompson finished the fifth inning for the River Bandits, and pitched 2 2/3 innings for Quad Cities, allowing no runs on one hit. Riley Ferrell threw a perfect eighth inning with a strikeout.

The River Bandits were able to knock out Robichaux with their rally in the top of the seventh, forcing the right-hander out of the game with the bases loaded and nobody out. However, reliever Jordan Piche got catcher Garrett Stubbs to ground into a double play, crippling the rally and limiting Quad Cities to just one run on the play. Second baseman Kristian Trompiz followed with a groundout to shortstop that ended the inning after only one run had scored.

The game tightened in the eighth inning on a two-out rally by the River Bandits, starting with a two-out walk to shortstop Alex Bregman and capped by a booming home run to left by All-Star third baseman Nick Tanielu, making it a one-run game. With fresh life and a tie game in sight, Ferguson singled down the right-field line and was thrown out trying to reach second base, ending the inning. Burlington closer Eduardo Paredes pitched a perfect ninth inning for his 18^th save of the year.

PAULINO, BANDITS BULLPEN COMBINE TO SHUT OUT BEES

First-inning run is enough to vault Quad Cities to series-opening win

BURLINGTON, Iowa (July 24, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits starter David Paulino pitched 6 2/3 innings of shutout baseball, striking out six and allowing three hits and three walks, and a two-out rally in the first inning capped by an RBI single by designated hitter Ramon Laureano was all the team needed in a 1-0 win over the Burlington Bees Friday night at Community Field.

Paulino (3-2) has shut out the opponent in all three of his wins with Quad Cities (17-12 second half, 62-35 overall), and has not allowed a run in five of his seven starts between Quad Cities and Short Season Class-A Tri-City this year. Prior to Friday, he pitched seven scoreless innings in his latest start Sunday against Cedar Rapids. Zach Davis, who was called up Friday from Tri-City, pitched one inning in his Midwest League debut, and Eric Peterson went the final 1 1/3 innings for his fifth save of the season.

The River Bandits shut out Burlington (11-18, 46-52) by a 1-0 score for the second time at Community Field this season and pitched their 10th shutout of the season - the most for the club since pitching 11 shutouts in 2010.

With two outs in the top of the first inning, shortstop Alex Bregman drew a walk on five pitches from Bees starter Justin Anderson (6-8). All-Star third baseman Nick Tanielu followed with a base hit to right field that advanced Bregman to third. With runners on the corners, Laureano looped a ball into right that dropped in front of All-Star right fielder Natanael Delgado, scoring the first and only run of the game.

The Bees had one man reach base in each of the first four innings against Paulino, including the leadoff batter in both the first and third, but solid pitching and great defense, including a diving catch in left-center field by center fielder Bobby Boyd helped keep Burlington off of the board. The Bees' best threat came in the fifth inning against Paulino after Delgado singled up the middle for the Bees' first hit. Center fielder Ayendy Perez reached on a fielder's choice and then stole second base with Burlington second baseman Tim Arakawa batting. After Arakawa struck out, shortstop Jake Yacinich reached on an infield single, advancing Perez to third and putting runners on the corners with two down, but Paulino struck out left fielder Trever Allen to end the opportunity.

Burlington had one last chance in the ninth inning, starting with a leadoff single by third baseman Zach Houchins, who was lifted for pinch-runner Erick Salcedo. Designated hitter Trevor Gretzky was able to bunt Salcedo into scoring position with one out. After catcher Wade Wass struck out looking, with Delgado hitting, Salcedo was able to steal third, but Delgado struck out swinging to end the game.

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