17
Jun
2015
Clinton snaps league record-tying 15-game losing streak with 6-5, 11-inning win in series opener
CLINTON, Iowa (June 17, 2015) - Clinton second baseman Chris Mariscal drove in two runs and was 3-for-6, including a one-out triple in the bottom of the 11th inning, and scored the game-winning run on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch of third baseman Joe DeCarlo, as the Quad Cities River Bandits dropped a 6-5 series opener in 11 innings to the LumberKings Tuesday night at Ashford University Field.
The win for the LumberKings (24-40) snapped a 15-game losing streak. The Bandits' loss, coupled with a Cedar Rapids win at home over Burlington, kept Quad Cities' magic number (combination of Quad Cities wins and Cedar Rapids losses) needed to clinch the first-half Western Division title at two. Cedar Rapids (39-26) clinched a playoff berth Tuesday, meaning that the River Bandits (41-22) and Kernels will face each other in a best-of-three Western Division semifinal in the Midwest League playoff beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9.
On Tuesday, with one-out in the 11th inning, Mariscal hit a ball off the end of the bat to the right field corner and was able to race all the way to third base. Electing to play for a force out at each base, the River Bandits had reliever Eric Peterson (2-3) intentionally walk right fielder Estarlyn Morales and first baseman Taylor Zeutenhorst to load the bases. However, an 0-1 pitch from Peterson hit DeCarlo on the left side to end the game and spare Clinton of posting the longest losing streak in Midwest League history.
Clinton got out to an early start against River Bandits starter Brandon McNitt, scoring twice in each of the first two innings. Center fielder Arby Fields walked to lead off the bottom of the first, and advanced to third base on back-to-back wild pitches with catcher Wayne Taylor batting. After Taylor walked and stole second base, Mariscal drove in both runners with a double to right field.
In the second inning, designated hitter Martin Peguero singled to start the frame, and moved up to second base when shortstop Luis Caballero was hit by a pitch. The runners each advanced a base on a sacrifice bunt by Fields, and then scored on a double by Taylor to right field to make the score 4-0. McNitt finished three innings, allowing five runs on five hits and walking three batters.
In the top of the third inning, the River Bandits staged their comeback against Clinton starter Jeffeson Medina, beginning with a leadoff single by center fielder Bobby Boyd. Second baseman Luis Reynoso reached on a fielding error by DeCarlo, and catcher Jamie Ritchie walked to load the bases for left fielder Jason Martin, who beat out a relay throw to first that would have otherwise been a double play. That set the stage for designated hitter Jacob Nottingham, who homered for a second straight game, sending a 2-2 delivery from Medina deep beyond the left field fence, tying the game, 4-4.
The game remained tied into the seventh inning. The bullpens for each team were strong; Aaron Greenwood for the River Bandits and Jarrett Brown of Clinton were the first relief pitchers for each side and combined to throw 6 2/3 innings and allow just one run. That run came in the top of the seventh and allowed Quad Cities to tie the game, 5-5. With one out in the inning, Brown walked Ritchie and Martin consecutively and allowed a single by Nottingham to load the bases. Third baseman Nick Tanielu fouled off four straight pitches before being retired on an infield fly. With two outs, first baseman Ryan Bottger coaxed one last walk out of Brown, who allowed four in
The two teams traded chances over the next three-plus innings, including a two-on, one-out situation in the bottom of the eighth by Clinton, and a bases-loaded, one-out opportunity in the top of the 11th for the River Bandits.
The two teams play in the second game of the series Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Jorge Perez (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will throw for the River Bandits, facing Pat Peterson (4-4, 4.66 ERA) of the LumberKings.
UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is hosting a Father's Day Cookout for the 1:15 p.m. game Sunday, June 21. Call 563-324-3000 to order a package that includes a game ticket and access to the all-you-can-eat buffet in the Budweiser Champions Club. The day includes a Mega Mini-Fridge Giveaway presented by Budweiser and 7G Distributing and is a Family Sunday presented by B100 and ESPN 93.5. 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.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: With the installation of the Ferris Wheel, the River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931, and this year the club is matching that effort by opening three new areas. A two-tiered special group deck immediately behind and overlooking the corn field opens next week. A new 11,000-square-foot concourse expansion down the third-base line will open in July. Finally, the club is expanding the children's play area by an additional 5,500 square feet down the right-field line. New rides will be announced upon completion of these new areas.
