11 Aug 2015

Are you ready for the Midwest's favorite marathon?

By Quad Cities Marathon
The 26.2 mile Quad Cities Marathon, benefiting prostate cancer research and screening and the Erika Kate Foundation.

The flat and fast course features one of the finest, most scenic river views in the country.

It covers 5 races, 4 cities, 3 bridges, 2 states, and 1 island, all along the mighty Mississippi River.

See Quad City Marathon for race details, times, and registration.

11 Aug 2015

River Bandits Weekend Round-up

By Marco LaNave
DRAGONS DENY BANDITS A RECORD-TYING WIN STREAK
Dayton snaps Quad Cities' 12-game winning streak - one win from tying the franchise record
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 9, 2015) - The Quad Cities River Bandits scored a first-inning run against Dayton Dragons right-hander Tejay Antone, but he lasted seven innings without allowing another run in Dayton's 3-1 win, snapping Quad Cities' second 12-game winning streak this season - again one game shy of the franchise record - in front of 2,701 at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday afternoon.
In the finale of a season-long nine-game, 10-day homestand, the River Bandits (29-14 second half, 74-37 overall) had their second chance in three months to tie the Quad Cities franchise-record 13-game winning streak by the Quad City Cubs to close the 1979 season. On Sunday, the River Bandits suffered their first loss since July 25 and first at home since July 18. Quad Cities maintained the best record in professional baseball through Sunday, while Dayton (19-24, 58-55) won for the third time in its last 18 road games.
Unlike the game that snapped their first 12-game winning streak - a 10-4 home loss to Beloit on May 12 - the River Bandits held a lead in Sunday's game. Left fielder Jason Martin hit a leadoff single in the first inning against Antone (6-9), who overthrew first base on a pickoff attempt, allowing Martin to reach third base. After designated hitter Bobby Boyd walked, second baseman Nick Tanielu grounded into a fielder's choice that scored Martin for a 1-0 lead.
Quad Cities missed its best opportunity to add to the lead after loading the bases with no outs in the fourth inning. Tanielu had an infield single, right fielder Drew Ferguson had a bunt single, and center fielder Ramon Laureano reached on a sacrifice bunt that catcher Chadwick Tromp threw late to third base. But Antone got River Bandits catcher Trent Woodward to ground to first baseman Avain Rachal to start a double play - the third the Dragons turned in the first four innings - and Antone struck out first baseman Ryan Bottger to end the inning.
River Bandits right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn (6-4), who also started and lost the River Bandits' streak-snapping game May 12, began Sunday by scattering three hits and a walk without allowing a run for the first four innings. The Dragons nearly scored the tying run in the fourth inning when left fielder Jimmy Pickens hit a two-out single to right field, but Ferguson threw out third baseman Gavin LaValley at home plate. In the fifth inning, however, center fielder Narciso Crook led off with a first-pitch home run to the Modern Woodmen Berm - the first against a Quad Cities pitcher since July 25 - that tied the game, 1-1.
The Dragons took the lead in the sixth inning, as right fielder Aristides Aquino doubled on a ground ball down the third-base line, stole third base and scored on Dykxhoorn's wild pitch. Dykxhoorn retired the final five batters to finish seven innings - matching a career high set July 2 - and was charged with two earned runs on six hits and one walk with eight strikeouts.
With a 2-1 Dayton lead, Boyd led off the bottom of the sixth inning with a single to center field and stole second base with no outs. After Antone got Tanielu to fly out to right field, Tromp threw out Boyd trying to steal third base for the second out, and the River Bandits had only one baserunner after that, as Antone and left-hander Mike Sullivan combined to retire the last eight batters. Sullivan earned his first Midwest League save, after Dragons second baseman Cory Thompson added an insurance run on a solo home run to the Modern Woodmen Berm beginning the eighth inning against left-hander Zach Davis to make it 3-1. Davis then retired the last six Dragons batters of the game.
After a Midwest League-wide off day Monday, the River Bandits visit the Fort Wayne TinCaps for the first time in two years at Parkview Field for a three-game series. Quad Cities right-hander Justin Ferrell (3-2) is scheduled to start Tuesday's series opener at 6:05 p.m. Central.
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 Scout Jersey. 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.

BANDITS ACHIEVE 2ND 12-GAME WINNING STREAK

Quad Cities whitewashes Dayton, 10-0, for fourth shutout in seven games, moves to baseball-best 74-36

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 8, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits right hander Joshua James matched a career high with seven strikeouts in six shutout innings, and his teammates scored nine runs in the sixth through eighth innings to seal a 10-0 victory over the Dayton Dragons, tying the River Bandits' season high of 12 straight wins in front of 5,211 at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night.

Pitching their fourth shutout in seven games and 14th of the season - their most since 2001 - the River Bandits (29-13 second half, 74-36 overall) tied their longest winning streak of the season, set April 29-May 11, when their 12 straight wins were the most for a Quad Cities Midwest League team since a franchise-record 13-game winning streak by the Quad City Cubs to close the 1979 season. The River Bandits also won their 10th straight home game since July 19, tying a 2013 home winning streak that was the club's longest since at least 2001.

Dayton right-hander Wyatt Strahan (6-9) did not allow a hit until two outs in the fifth inning, but Quad Cities took the lead without the help of a hit in the third inning. Third baseman Luis Reynoso led off the third by reaching second base when Strahan fielded a ground ball and overthrew first base. Shortstop Kristian Trompiz sacrificed Reynoso to third base, before left fielder Jason Martin drew a walk. Center fielder Bobby Boyd then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Reynoso for a 1-0 lead.

While James (5-2) held Dayton (18-24, 57-55) to one runner in scoring position in the first six innings, the River Bandits added another run against Strahan in the bottom of the sixth inning. Leading off the inning, Boyd extended his eight-game hitting streak with an infield single to shortstop Luis Gonzalez. Strahan's wild pitch moved Boyd to second base, and second baseman Nick Tanielu chopped an infield single to second baseman Cory Thompson. With runners at first and third bases, designated hitter Bryan Muñiz grounded into a double play that scored Boyd. Strahan finished six innings, allowing two runs - one earned - on three hits and one walk with three strikeouts.

With a 2-0 lead starting the seventh inning, James allowed a leadoff double to Dragons third baseman Gavin LaValley and single by left fielder Argenis Aldazoro to put runners at first and third bases with no outs. Right-hander Eric Peterson relieved James by walking center fielder Narciso Crook to load the bases. With the tying runs in scoring position, Peterson struck out catcher Garrett Boulware looking and got Gonzalez to ground to Tanielu, who threw to Trompiz to begin an inning-ending double play that preserved the shutout. After Peterson worked two hitless innings with one walk and two strikeouts, left-hander Steve Naemark walked one and struck out one in the ninth inning.

After escaping a bases-loaded jam defensively in the top of the seventh inning, the River Bandits capitalized offensively with loaded bases in the bottom of the inning against left-hander Jacob Moody. Catcher Garrett Stubbs drew a leadoff walk, Reynoso reached on a one-out infield single, and Moody issued three straight two-out walks to Martin, Boyd and Tanielu, forcing in two runs for a 4-0 Quad Cities lead.

Dragons right-hander Jake Ehret recorded the final out in the seventh inning but allowed the largest inning of the night in the bottom of the eighth. He began by hitting right fielder Ramon Laureano with a pitch and walking Stubbs and Bottger to load the bases, before Reynoso's RBI single to left field. Trompiz brought in another run by grounding into a fielder's choice, but Gonzalez's throwing error scored another run and put Trompiz at second base. Boyd hit a two-out RBI single to right field for his sixth straight multi-hit game, and Tanielu capped the six-run inning with his fifth home run of the year on a two-run blast to the Modern Woodmen Berm for a 10-0 River Bandits advantage.

BANDITS EXPLOIT DRAGONS FOR 11TH STRAIGHT WIN
Quad Cities takes advantage of 5 Dayton errors to roll to 7-1 win in series opener
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 7, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits center fielder Bobby Boyd was 3-for-4 with a double and a run, and River Bandits pitchers combined to allow hold the Dayton Dragons scoreless after a first-inning run in a 7-1 victory and Quad Cities' 11th straight win in front of 5,003 at Modern Woodmen Park Friday night.
Capitalizing on five Dayton errors to score five unearned runs, the River Bandits (28-13 second half, 73-36) extended their current winning streak to within one of matching their season high of 12 straight wins they posted April 29-May 11. Quad Cities also won its ninth straight home game, although when Dayton scored in the first inning Friday, the River Bandits trailed at home game for the first time since July 18.
Dayton (18-23, 57-54) began the first inning with back-to-back baserunners, as shortstop Cory Thompson was hit by a pitch and second baseman Shed Long singled to center field, advancing Thompson to third base. River Bandits starting pitcher Elieser Hernandez (2-1) got first baseman Paul Kronenfeld to ground out to third, which sent Long to second base. With right fielder Aristides Aquino batting, Hernandez threw a wild pitch allowing Thompson to score for the Dragons. The run was the first allowed in the last 41 1/3 innings by a Quad Cities starting pitcher since Beloit scored twice against Justin Ferrell in the fifth inning July 29.
Hernandez responded by retiring 11 batters in order and going on to pitch five innings, allowing three hits and no walks with five strikeouts. Right-hander Brandon McNitt pitched three shutout innings, and right-hander Jorge Perez pitched a scoreless final frame.
Quad Cities went in order in the first two innings without hitting the ball out of the infield against Dayton starter Tyler Mahle (11-6). However, in the third inning, second baseman Jose Fernandez hit a ground ball that was dropped by Thompson at shortstop, giving Quad Cities its first base runner. The River Bandits wasted no time taking the lead on a first-pitch double by catcher Garrett Stubbs and a first-pitch, two-run single by shortstop Kristian Trompiz, putting Quad Cities ahead, 2-1.
The third-inning rally continued with left fielder Jason Martin's single to right field, where Aquino misplayed the ball, allowing Trompiz to score and Martin to advance to second base on the second Dragons error of the inning. Boyd then collected the first and softest of his three hits - a bunt single up the third-base line that spun past Gavin LaValley and stayed fair, moving Martin to third base. Third baseman Nick Tanielu then flied out to deep left field, deep enough to score Martin from third, making it 4-1, with two of the four runs unearned.
The River Bandits scored in the same innings Dayton committed errors Friday. In the fifth inning, Boyd and Tanielu hit consecutive two-out singles and then executed a double steal attempt, on which Long missed a throw to second base by catcher Garrett Boulware, and Boyd scored an unearned run for a 5-1 Quad Cities lead. Mahle was charged with five runs - two earned - on seven hits and one walk with two strikeouts in six innings, and he lost for the first time in the second half of the season.
In the seventh inning, a rally started with Martin's bunt that Kronenfeld was unable to field at first base, and was the fourth error charged to Dayton. Martin made it to third base on Boyd's double, and scored on a balk by reliever Ty Sterner, making it a 6-1 River Bandits lead.
The last run came in the bottom of the eighth inning, as second baseman Jose Fernandez tripled with two outs and scored on Stubbs' ground ball that went through the LaValley's legs at third base - the fifth and final error on the Dragons - to make it 7-1.
10 Aug 2015

BUMPER CARS JOIN MODERN WOODMEN PARK AMUSEMENTS

By Marco LaNave
Spin Zone Bumper Cars from Amusement Products will be added to the K&K Hardware Kids Zone
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 7, 2015) - Already home to award-winning improvements and amusements rides, Modern Woodmen Park will give its guests another unique thrill, as the Spin Zone Bumper Cars had their ribbon cutting Friday at the ballpark. A set of five cars have been installed in the K&K Hardware Kids Zone adjacent to the Party Plaza down the first-base line at Modern Woodmen Park.
The bumper cars add to a fun-packed lineup of amusements that includes the Ferris wheel atop the berm in left field, the Mediacom Drop'N Twist and Space Camp in the Party Plaza, as well as the dual zip line that operates on South Gaines Street outside the ballpark on game days.
Each of the Spin Zone Bumper Cars from Amusement Products seat one driver, who controls the car with a lever on each side of the car. The drivers can bump their cars into one another, and for added excitement, if a driver hits another car on one of its Spin Zone Targets, that car will be sent into three 360-degree revolutions while it flashes LED lights - showing other drivers the car has been hit. The ride operator can also add to the fun with Chaos Mode that sends all cars into similar spins.
"Every kid loves bumper cars, so the Spin Zone Bumper Cars make a great addition to the Modern Woodmen Park amusements lineup," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "Now, for the first time at any ballpark, our fans can create their own amusement experience - by driving the Spin Zone Bumper Cars, sending other cars into crazy spins, and delighting riders and viewers with a light show and unpredictable - and unforgettable - fun!"
The amusements are open during all River Bandits home games, normally beginning 60 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. The Ferris wheel is also open every Saturday - weather permitting - from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., as well as Saturday non-game days 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Spin Zone Bumper Cars will cost five tickets. Fans can purchase tickets for $1 each or buy 25 tickets for $20
07 Aug 2015

Duck Creek Couples Golf

By Davenport Parks & Recreation

Couples Golf Friday Night

 

Starting on Aug 14th and will run through Sept 11th

 

1st Tee Time 5:15 PM

 

Cost $20.00 per player

 

Golf & Cart

 

Plus after play enjoy a Cheese Burger & Beverage

 

Fun events & prizes too

 

563-326-7824

07 Aug 2015

New Ruan Plaza to Improve Pedestrian Traffic at the Iowa State Fair

By Mindy Williamson

DES MOINES, IA (08/05/2015)(readMedia)-- Fairgoers this year will love the open green space and the easier walk between the William C. Knapp Varied Industries Building and the Robert G. Horner & Sheri Avis Horner Service Center. Be sure to make it a part of your "Fair Tour," August 13-23.

Thanks to a generous donation from John and Janis Ruan III, a three-phase pedestrian friendly walkway is being constructed to connect the Grand Concourse with the Richard O. Jacobson Exhibition Center. When completed, the project will feature a boulevard area with improved utilities and access for exhibitors and vendors, framed by 20-foot walkways. The completed project also includes paved parking and expanded sidewalks.

The plan to beautify the area and improve pedestrian traffic will be implemented in several phases. Phase 1 of 3 is complete for the 2015 Fair. The project will wrap from the east side of the Varied Industries Building south, eventually connecting to Gate 10. In addition to creating a more picturesque walkway, the project also includes improved drainage and water control for Fair time vendors and off-season events.

"The Ruan family's generosity will benefit all Fairgoers and we are grateful for their support," said Peter Cownie, Executive Director of the Iowa State Fair Blue Ribbon Foundation. "Ruan Plaza will be an area of the Iowa State Fairgrounds we can all be proud of and generations of Iowans will enjoy."

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07 Aug 2015

River Bandits Keep Rollin' Along - Winning Streak Now at 10

By Marco LaNave
BANDITS BLANK HOT RODS FOR SWEEP, 10TH STRAIGHT WIN
Barrios extends streak of 41 consecutive scoreless innings by Quad Cities starters
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 6, 2015) - Agapito Barrios threw six shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out five while walking one, and a solo homer by designated hitter Bryan Muniz in the fourth inning was all the River Bandits needed, as they swept the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 2-0, and won their 10th straight game in front of 4,317 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.
The River Bandits (27-13 second half, 72-36 overall) shut out Bowling Green (19-21, 56-53) for the second time in three games, and outscored the Hot Rods, 15-3, in the three-game series. Quad Cities has its second double-digit win streak of the season, following 12 straight wins April 29-May 11, which was the team's first double-digit winning streak since 2002. This season, the 15 other Midwest League teams have combined for two double-digit win streaks (10 games each by Great Lakes and Kane County).
After allowing a leadoff single in the fourth inning to Hot Rods third baseman Grant Kay, Barrios (1-0) retired the final nine batters he faced and struck out two in the sixth inning to finish his outing. In two starts with Quad Cities, Barrios has pitched 11 shutout innings, allowing three hits and one walk with eight strikeouts. Quad Cities starting pitchers have not allowed a run in the last seven games - a streak of 41 consecutive scoreless innings.
Following Barrios, Ryan Thompson retired all six men he faced, striking out three, in the seventh and eighth innings, and Angel Heredia allowed one hit in a scoreless ninth for his sixth save of the season. The River Bandits' Midwest League-leading 13th shutout is their most since 14 shutouts in 2001.
Muñiz got the scoring started in the bottom of the fourth inning on a blast off Hot Rods starter Henry Centeno (6-7) to the top of the Modern Woodmen berm in straight-away left field - his first Midwest League home run of the season in 19 games with Quad Cities - to give the River Bandits the 1-0 lead. Muñiz also had a double as part of his fourth multi-hit outing in his last five games.
Despite the 11 hits, Quad Cities only mustered one more run. In the sixth inning, first baseman Ryan Bottger reached on an error by Hot Rods first baseman Coty Blanchard and advanced to second base on a single by catcher Trent Woodward. After third baseman Luis Reynoso struck out, a two-out single by shortstop Kristian Trompiz drove in Bottger, doubling the River Bandits' lead to 2-0. Bottger, Muñiz, Trompiz and center fielder Bobby Boyd each had two hits. Boyd finished 6-for-11 in the series against Bowling Green.
The River Bandits open their final series of their season-long nine-game, 10-day homestand with the first of three games against the Dayton Dragons at 7 p.m. Friday. Right-handers Elieser Hernandez (1-1, 1.96) of Quad Cities and Tyler Mahle (11-5, 2.51) of Dayton are scheduled to pitch the series opener.
UP NEXT: Gates open at 6 p.m. for Autism Awareness Night, when the River Bandits will wear special caps to be auctioned during the game to benefit the Quad Cities Autism Center. The 7 p.m. game is a Fireworks Friday 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.
SEVEN-RUN SECOND FUELS BANDITS' 9TH STRAIGHT WIN
Garrett Stubbs has a career-high three hits with two RBI doubles, and Dean Deetz earns first Midwest League win
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 6, 2015) - Dean Deetz pitched five shutout innings in his first Midwest League start, allowing three hits and two walks while striking out four, and the River Bandits' seven-run rally on six hits in the second inning helped power Quad Cities to a ninth straight win with a 10-3 victory over the Bowling Green Hot Rods in front of 2,144 at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.
The solid start by Deetz (1-0) extended a scoreless streak by River Bandits starting pitchers to 35 consecutive innings over the last six games. In his five innings Wednesday, Deetz retired the side in order twice, and had two strikeouts in his fifth and final inning of work.
Quad Cities (26-13 second half, 71-36 overall) erupted for seven runs in the second inning, bringing 11 men to the plate and chasing Hot Rods starter Brad Wallace (2-3) after just 1 2/3 innings. Designated hitter Drew Ferguson began the frame with a double to left, followed by a double to center by catcher Garrett Stubbs to score Ferguson and put the River Bandits on the board. Third baseman Luis Reynoso singled, moving Stubbs to third, and after shortstop Kristian Trompiz flied out to left, a double by left fielder Jason Martin scored both Stubbs and Reynoso, making it 3-0.
The rally continued with Martin stealing third base before a walk to center fielder Bobby Boyd, who was then caught stealing with second baseman Nick Tanielu at the plate. With Martin at third base, Tanielu tripled to the right-field corner and scored on an RBI single by first baseman Bryan Muñiz, who was the last batter in Wallace's day. Reliever Ryan Pennell walked right fielder Ramon Laureano on four pitches and then committed a two-base throwing error on a ground ball by Ferguson, hitting for the second time in the inning. The errant throw got past first baseman Alec Sole, allowing both Muñiz and Laureano to score, making it a 7-0 River Bandits lead.
With one out in the bottom of the fourth, Laureano was hit by a pitch, and Ferguson walked, followed by Stubbs' second RBI double, making it an 8-0 lead. Ferguson, who advanced to third on Stubbs' double, scored on Reynoso's fly ball to right, extending the lead to 9-0.
Bowling Green (19-20, 56-53) cut into the lead in the sixth inning against reliever Jorge Perez with three consecutive run-scoring plays. With runners on the corners and one out, left fielder Bralin Jackson singled home third baseman Grant Kay to put the Hot Rods on the board, ending a 15 1/3 scoreless streak to begin the series. James then grounded out, scoring designated hitter Hunter Lockwood, and a Sole double plated Jackson, making it a 9-3 game.
Six runs was the closest the Hot Rods came, as the River Bandits strung together three straight two-out singles in the sixth, culminating in a Trompiz RBI single, putting Quad Cities into double digits for the second time in its current winning streak. Every River Bandit had at least one hit, led by Stubbs' career-high three hits, including two doubles for his first two career extra-base hits.
Quad Cities left-hander Zach Davis struck out two in the seventh inning and retired all six batters he faced, and newcomer and fellow left-hander Steve Naemark worked a perfect ninth inning in his Midwest League debut.
BANDITS BLANK BOWLING GREEN FOR 8TH STRAIGHT WIN
Quad Cities wins, 3-0, by pitching club's Midwest League-high 12th shutout of 2015
DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 4, 2015) - Justin Ferrell became the first Quad Cities River Bandits pitcher this season to go 7 2/3 innings, allowing no runs on four hits and three walks with five strikeouts, and Eric Peterson pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings, as the River Bandits shut out the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 3-0, for their eighth straight win in front of 3,011 at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night.
Ferrell (3-2) delivered the longest outing by a River Bandits starter this season, surpassing the 7 1/3 he threw in a start on July 12 against Burlington. Ferrell was removed from the game in the top of the eighth inning after allowing a two-out single to second baseman Riley Unroe. Reliever Eric Peterson needed only one pitch to get left fielder Bralin Jackson to fly out to right, and then struck out the side in the ninth inning around a one-out hit batsman to earn his team-best sixth save of 2015.
Quad Cities (25-13 second half, 70-36) got on the board in the third inning against starter Yonny Chirinos (3-2) on a rally started by a one-out walk to second baseman Luis Reynoso. After Kristian Trompiz flied out to center, left fielder Jason Martin dumped a ball into shallow right field for a hit, advancing Reynoso to third, and reaching second himself as the throw went towards third. With center fielder Bobby Boyd batting, a passed ball by catcher Nick Ciuffo allowed Reynoso to score and Martin to get to third, putting Quad Cities ahead, 1-0.
Bowling Green (19-19, 56-52) had several opportunities to get a rally started against Ferrell, as the leadoff man reached base in four straight innings, beginning with a double by right fielder Justin Williams in the second inning. Each time, Ferrell was able to prevent the runner from scoring. The Hot Rods stranded seven men on base in the game.
The River Bandits extended their lead in the bottom of the seventh against Chirinos, beginning with a leadoff single by right fielder Ramon Laureano. With first baseman Ryan Bottger batting, a wild pitch advanced Laureano into scoring position. Bottger immediately took advantage of the extra 90 feet, hitting a single into center field drive in Laureano, and when center fielder Thomas Milone misplayed the ball, Bottger was able to reach second on the error. Catcher Trent Woodward then hit a ground ball to first base that moved Bottger over to third. Reynoso made it a 3-0 lead on a base hit up the middle to score Bottger.
The River Bandits' second shutout in the last three games gives them 12 shutouts this season, marking their most in a season since 2004. Quad Cities became the first team in baseball to win 70 games this season and clinched a winning record with 32 games still remaining in the 2015 regular season. The team's record of 34 games above .500 is the club's best since finishing the 1992 season at 91-46.
07 Aug 2015

TANIELU, HEREDIA WIN ASTROS' JULY HONORS

By Marco LaNave

Four River Bandits alumni named Player or Pitcher of the Month at their respective Houston affiliates

DAVENPORT, Iowa (August 4, 2015) - Infielder Nick Tanielu is the Quad Cities River Bandits Player of the Month for July, and right-handed pitcher Angel Heredia is the team's Pitcher of the Month, the Houston Astros announced on Monday.

The Houston Astros Player Development Department named a Player and Pitcher of the Month at each of their minor league affiliate. These awards are chosen every month by the field staff of each team. Led by the River Bandits' 69-36 record through Sunday, the Astros have the best combined overall minor league record among all major league clubs at 359-289 - a .554 winning percentage. Six of the Astros' nine minor league clubs were in first place through Sunday.

Tanielu, drafted in the 14th round by Houston in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft out of Washington State University, led the River Bandits with a .340 batting average, 34 hits, 11 doubles and 24 RBIs. The 22-year-old Huntsville, Ala., native and 2015 Midwest League All-Star also slugged .510, had an on-base percentage of .378, hit two home runs, and committed just three errors in a team-high 26 games defensively. Tanielu entered Tuesday fifth in the Midwest League and sixth among Houston Astros minor leaguers in batting average (.315) and fifth in the league in RBIs (56). He also leads Quad Cities this season in hits (107), doubles (24) and total bases (147). Tanielu won his second career monthly award, as he was the Player of the Month for Short-Season Class-A Tri-City in July 2014.

Heredia, signed as a non-drafted free agent by the Astros on April 20, 2012, out of Palenque, Dominican Republic, made seven relief appearances for the River Bandits in July, posting a 2-1 record and allowing one earned run in 16 2/3 innings for a 0.54 ERA. The 23-year-old converted three of five save opportunities and had 16 strikeouts while allowing seven hits and five walks. Named the Midwest League Pitcher of the Week for June 29-July 5, Heredia won his fourth career monthly honor, adding to his Pitcher of the Month awards for the Dominican Summer League Astros in June 2013 and August 2013, as well as for rookie-level Greeneville in July 2014.

For other Houston Astros affiliates, four former River Bandits were recognized as Player or Pitcher of the Month in July. Tyler White (2014) was the Player of the Month for the Triple-A Fresno Grizzlies. For Double-A Corpus Christi, Michael Feliz (2014) was the Pitcher of the Month. With Class-A Advanced Lancaster, Ronnie Mitchell (2014) won Player of the Month, and Keegan Yuhl, who pitched with the River Bandits in 2014 and started the 2015 season with Quad Cities, was the JetHawks Pitcher of the Month.

05 Aug 2015

DART Park & Ride Buses Offer Convenience and Savings to Iowa State Fairgoers

By Lori Chappell

DES MOINES, IA (08/04/2015)(readMedia)-- DART is offering Iowa State Fairgoers half-price savings and convenient service at three Park & Ride locations around the metro area during this year's Fair, set August 13-23.

Show your advance admission ticket at one of DART's three State Fair Park & Ride locations and receive half off the roundtrip fare. Parking is free at all Park & Ride locations. Discounted round-trip fares with advanced Fair admission tickets are $1 for adults and 50 cents for seniors (ages 65+), disabled persons, Medicare card holders and children (ages 6-10). Children ages 5 and under are free. Regular round-trip fares are $2 for adults and $1 for seniors (ages 65+), disabled persons, Medicare card holders and children (ages 6-10). Cash only; exact fare required.

DART offers three convenient Park & Ride locations where Fairgoers can park for free:

• Center Street Park & Ride (7th and Center St., enter on 7th St.)

• Southeast Polk Schools (N.E. 80th St. and Highway 163)

• State Capitol (East 12th St. near the State Capitol bell)

The hours are 8:30 a.m. to Midnight every day of the Fair at all Park & Ride locations. Call DART at 515/283-8100 for more details.

Buses from Southeast Polk Schools will drop off and pick up Fairgoers on Dean Avenue south of the Swine Barn near Gate 8. Buses from the Center Street and State Capitol Park & Ride stops will continue to drop off and pick up Fairgoers near Gate 10.

Three parking lots are available for motorcycle or vehicle parking at $10 per vehicle. Bicycle parking is available inside Gate 10 for $2.

Fair advance admission tickets are on sale through August 12 at Noon while supplies last at participating Hy-Vee, Hy-Vee Drugstores and Fareway stores and the State Fair Ticket Office, located on the Fairgrounds. Or, purchase your tickets online at iowastatefair.org and print them at home, fee-free.

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03 Aug 2015

Bandits Have Another Perfect Weekend in Front of 19,000+ Fans

By Marco LaNave

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.



31 Jul 2015

Are you swimming safely this summer?

By American Red Cross

Do you and your family know how to stay safe in the water this summer?

Whether you're headed to the ocean, the lake or your local pool, we have 5 important questions before you dive in.

Test your knowledge and learn important water safety tips for you and your family >>

For the past 100 years, the American Red Cross has helped millions of kids, teens and adults learn how to swim and become lifeguards or instructors. Now we're working to cut drowning rates in half by teaching even more people how to be safe in the water.

Swimming can be fun and safe, but with an average of 10 Americans dying from unintentional drowning every day in this country, both adults and children need to learn the basics of swim safety before taking the plunge. Make safety your top priority this summer - you can start by taking our 5 question swim safety quiz and sharing it with your friends and family.

Whichever way you choose to stay cool this summer, I hope you'll make sure you and your loved ones know how to stay safe, too.

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