Quad Cities loses first shutout in two months and has second three-game losing streak of the season

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (August 12, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-handers Dean Deetz and Brandon McNitt held the Fort Wayne TinCaps to one hit through the first seven innings and only allowed three hits the entire game to the home team, but four TinCaps combined on a four-hit shutout - the first against Quad Cities in two months - in a 2-0 final at Parkview Field Wednesday night.

The TinCaps (28-17 second half, 60-53 overall) won their ninth straight home game and handed the River Bandits (29-16, 74-39) their second three-game losing streak of the season and first since May 26. Quad Cities lost a shutout for the first time since Game 2 of a June 12 doubleheader at home against Lansing.

Making his first Midwest League appearance since April 30, 2014, TinCaps right-hander Pete Kelich (1-0) retired the first two batters, and after All-Star third baseman Nick Tanielu reached on an infield single to third base, catcher Jose Ruiz threw him out at second base when he tried to advance on a pitch in the dirt.

In the bottom of the first inning, Deetz (1-1) walked TinCaps second baseman Josh VanMeter on four pitches with one out. Designated hitter Ruddy Giron then hit one-hop ground ball to Deetz, whose high throw to second base went off second baseman Jose Fernandez's glove into center field, allowing VanMeter to reach third base on the first Quad Cities error in six games. Deetz then walked right fielder Franmil Reyes to load the bases, before a four-pitch walk to left fielder Franchy Cordero forced in a run for a 1-0 Fort Wayne lead.

With the bases still loaded and one out, Deetz got center fielder Michael Gettys to ground to Fernandez to begin an inning-ending double play. For the rest of his five-inning start, Deetz only allowed two baserunners, as Gettys reached on a fourth-inning, two-out throwing error by Fernandez, and TinCaps third baseman Luis Tejada had his team's first hit on a fifth-inning, leadoff infield single behind second base. Deetz walked three batters and struck out four and was charged with an unearned run.

Kelich scattered three hits and one walk with two strikeouts in a season-long, five-inning start, and only one River Bandit reached second base against him, as designated hitter Luis Reynoso and left fielder Jason Martin each singled in the third inning before Kelich escaped.

The River Bandits had their best scoring chance in the seventh inning against TinCaps left-hander Taylor Cox, who pitched a perfect sixth inning but began the seventh with a four-pitch walk to right fielder Drew Ferguson. First baseman Ryan Bottger then singled to right field to put runners at first and third bases. With no outs, Fernandez put a squeeze bunt toward first baseman Trae Santos, who flipped to Ruiz to tag out Ferguson at home plate. After catcher Garrett Stubbs flied out, Cox departed after 1 2/3 innings of work. Right-hander T.J. Weir entered with runners at first and second bases to face Reynoso with two outs, but during the at-bat, Ruiz and Santos combined to pick off Fernandez at first base to end the inning. Weir pitched a perfect eighth inning to contribute 1 1/3 total innings.

Following Deetz, McNitt set down the first seven batters he faced until a one-out walk to Ruiz in the bottom of the eighth inning. Two batters later, VanMeter grounded a two-out single to right field, and Giron hit a line-drive RBI single to right field for a 2-0 Fort Wayne lead. It was enough for right-hander Yimmi Brasoban, who pitched a perfect ninth inning for his eighth save. The TinCaps' win secured the River Bandits' second road series loss of the season and first since losing two of three games July 21-23 at Kane County.

The River Bandits conclude their series in Fort Wayne at 6:05 p.m. Central Thursday, when River Bandits right-hander Agapito Barrios (1-0) is scheduled to face TinCaps right-hander Dinelson Lamet (3-6).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits have two specialty jerseys among the top 10 in MiLB.com's Jersey Joust contest to decide the best specialty jersey in Minor League Baseball. Visit riverbandits.com for a link to vote until Aug. 25 for the 2014 Autism Awareness Jersey and 2015 Boy Scouts Jersey. 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.

Former players set to attend Kaplan University as part of educational partnership

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa & CHICAGO, Illinois - (August 11, 2015) -The National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA), the only Association comprised of NBA, ABA, Harlem Globetrotters and WNBA alumni, today announced the first five recipients of its scholarship program with Kaplan University, an NBRPA preferred higher education partner. The announcement was made at the NBRPA's annual Legends Conference in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The starting five receiving scholarships to attend Kaplan University are retired NBA players Adonal Foyle, Joe Smith, James Donaldson, Kevin A. Loder and Eldridge Recasner.

"Our partnership with Kaplan University is a great fit for former players looking to create career opportunities in life after basketball through education," said NBRPA Chairman of the Board Thurl Bailey, who played 12 years in the NBA. "When one door closes, others need to be opened and education is very often the key."

"Like most Kaplan University students, retired athletes are juggling a lot of competing responsibilities. They're older, raising families and also want to make a lasting difference not just in their own lives, but in the larger community," said Craig Collins, Senior Vice President of Kaplan University Corporate Development.  "So a university like Kaplan, which today is helping some 41,000 adult learners pursue their education and career goals, fits into their playbook because of its convenience."

"Our relationship with the NBRPA helps underscore the importance of life-long learning and education. Regardless of one's situation, education plays an important role in helping individuals find fulfillment in careers and life," said Dr. Wade Dyke, President of Kaplan University.

Founded in 1937, Kaplan University serves adult learners through a wide array of offerings and has more than 180 program offerings. In 2014 and 2015, Kaplan University ranked among the best Online Bachelor Degree Programs by U.S. News & World Report.

The Quad City Women's Soccer Association is currently seeking women of all ages and abilities to fill in team rosters for our Fall league. Players must be at least 18 years old and graduated from high school.  Games are played one night a week and start at 6:00 P.M. Schedule, league rules and information can be found at our website at: www.qcwsa.com or find us on Facebook.

Currently in our 72nd season, the Quad Cities Women's Soccer League is an all inclusive Quad City-based recreational league of women soccer players of all skill levels who value camaraderie, team spirit, sportswomanship, physical fitness, fun, good soccer and a love of the game. In order to fulfill this mission, the league expects:

• Basic knowledge and understanding of the game of soccer
• Emphasis on fair play
• Respect for fellow players and referees
• Commitment to the team as evidenced by regular and on-time attendance
• Friendly competition that realizes that the outcome of every game played is a smile and a handshake

Questions and more information, contact Chris Cournoyer at chris@ccx.net or 563-505-6703. For more information about our league, visit: www.qcwsa.com.

No-hit for five innings, Fort Wayne overcomes four errors and a 3-1 deficit to take series opener

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (August 12, 2015) - Fort Wayne TinCaps center fielder Michael Gettys hit a single to center field in the bottom of the 11th inning, scoring left fielder Franchy Cordero from second base with the winning run in a 4-3 victory Tuesday night over the Quad Cities River Bandits, who lost a 3-1, seventh-inning lead in the teams' first meeting in two years at Parkview Field.

Playing their 16th extra-inning game - the team's most since 2009 and tied for the most in the Midwest League this season - the River Bandits (29-15 second half, 74-38 overall) lost consecutive games for the first time since July 17-18. The second-half Eastern Division-leading TinCaps (27-17, 59-53) won their eighth straight home game and fourth straight in walk-off fashion despite committing four errors.

River Bandits right-hander Justin Ferrell and TinCaps All-Star left-hander Thomas Dorminy dueled for four scoreless innings before Quad Cities took the lead in the fifth. Second baseman Jose Fernandez reached on a two-out error by second baseman Luis Urias, catcher Garrett Stubbs walked, and third baseman Luis Reynoso singled to center field to score Fernandez for an unearned run.

Quad Cities added to the lead against Dorminy in the sixth inning. Left fielder Drew Ferguson hit a leadoff single into center field, and shortstop Kristian Trompiz put down a sacrifice bunt along the first-base line, which Dorminy bobbled before he could make a throw. Center fielder Ramon Laureano singled on a sharp ground ball that deflected off third baseman Luis Tejada's glove, loading the bases with no outs. After first baseman Bryan Muñiz dropped an RBI single into center field, Dorminy stranded the bases loaded with consecutive strikeouts and a groundout. Dorminy allowed two runs - one earned - on five hits and one walk with four strikeouts in six innings.

Ferrell had a career-high eight strikeouts without allowing a hit through the first five innings. With a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, he allowed the first TinCaps hit when catcher Jose Ruiz led off with a double to left-center field. After a sacrifice by Urias and a walk by designated hitter Josh VanMeter, the TinCaps attempted a one-out double steal, but Stubbs threw to Fernandez to get VanMeter, while Ruiz scored to make it 2-1. Ferrell completed the inning, allowing one earned run on one hit and two walks with eight strikeouts in six innings.

The River Bandits restored their two-run lead against TinCaps right-hander Aaron Cressley in the seventh inning. Reynoso led off with an infield single to deep third base - his season-high third hit - and reached third base when Tejada made an errant throw to first base. Designated hitter Trent Woodward then rolled a ground ball up the third-base line for an infield single and RBI to make it 3-1.

Fort Wayne tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning against right-hander Ryan Thompson. Right fielder Franmil Reyes and Cordero started with consecutive singles. After Gettys struck out, on another double steal, Stubbs threw to Trompiz near second base, but the shortstop dropped the ball before making a throw to home plate, so Reyes scored and Cordero reached second base. First baseman Trae Santos then skipped a game-tying single past Trompiz in a shifted position to the right of second base.

The River Bandits put a runner at third base with one out in the ninth inning, and the TinCaps loaded the bases against right-hander Angel Heredia (4-3) with two walks and a hit batter in the bottom of the ninth inning, but neither team scored. After TinCaps right-hander Yimmi Brasoban (4-3) worked a scoreless 11th inning, Heredia began his third relief inning by striking out Reyes, before Cordero doubled to left-center field past Laureano, and Gettys followed with a single into center field, scoring Cordero for the TinCaps' only lead and a 4-3 win.

The River Bandits continue their series in Fort Wayne at 6:05 p.m. Central Wednesday, when River Bandits right-hander Dean Deetz (1-0) is scheduled to face TinCaps right-hander Pete Kelich in the latter's Midwest League debut.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits have two specialty jerseys in MiLB.com's Jersey Joust contest to decide the best specialty jersey in Minor League Baseball. Visit riverbandits.com for a link to vote until Aug. 25 for the 2014 Autism Awareness Jersey and 2015 Boy Scouts Jersey. 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.