BANDITS BEAT RATTLERS TO WIN 9TH STRAIGHT

Quad Cities' longest winning streak in 13 years gives the club the best current record in affiliated baseball

DAVENPORT, Iowa (May 8, 2015) - After a first-inning, one-out home run by Wisconsin Timber Rattlers center fielder Brandon Diaz, Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Chris Lee and right-hander Kevin Comer combined to hold the visitors scoreless for the rest of a 4-1 victory and their team's ninth straight win in front of 1,480 at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night.

With the best record in affiliated professional baseball, Quad Cities (22-6) has won nine straight games for the first time in exactly 13 years. The team's last winning streak of at least nine games was a 10-game streak April 26-May 7, 2002.

Entering Thursday with six straight losses, the Timber Rattlers (8-20) took their first lead in three games in the first inning. With one out, Diaz hit a drive over the right-field wall in front of the Built Ford Tough Deck for his first home run since July 2014 - and the first Midwest League home run allowed by Lee (2-2) since Aug. 15, 2014.

In the bottom of the first inning, the River Bandits responded with two outs against right-hander Cy Sneed (1-3). Center fielder Derek Fisher hit double down the right-field line that landed just beyond the dive of right fielder Elvis Rubio. Catcher Jacob Nottingham then singled to left field to score Fisher for the tying run. First baseman Bryan Muñiz then grounded to shortstop Luis Aviles, who misplayed it for an error to continue the inning. With runners at first and second bases, River Bandits second baseman Alex Hernandez capitalized by grounding a single into center field that scored Nottingham for a 2-1 Quad Cities lead.

Lee held the 2-1 lead for the rest of his second straight five-inning, one-run start against Wisconsin. He worked around a bunt single in the second inning, a leadoff base runner from an error by third baseman Kristian Trompiz in the third inning, a walk in the fourth inning, and a single and walk in the fifth inning. He allowed three hits and two walks with three strikeouts.

Sneed did not allow a hit after the first inning and faced the minimum in the second through fifth innings. Shortstop Thomas Lindauer drew a walk with one out in the second inning but was thrown out trying to steal second base to end the inning. Sneed did not allow another base runner, allowing two runs - one earned - on three hits and one walk with five strikeouts in six innings.

Comer began the sixth inning with a 2-1 lead and retired the first two batters before third baseman Tucker Neuhaus put a bunt single toward Trompiz. Neuhaus was awarded third base after Trompiz fielded and then discarded the ball to the third-base dugout. But two pitches later, Trompiz caught a foul popup by second baseman Dustin DeMuth near the third-base dugout to end the inning.

In leaving 10 runners on base, Wisconsin had its best scoring threat in the top of the seventh inning. Catcher Greg McCall hit a leadoff double to right-center field and went to third base on a bunt single by shortstop Luis Aviles. Comer then struck out left fielder Mitch Meyer before hitting Diaz to load the bases. With one out, Comer struck out designated hitter Carlos Leal swinging and first baseman Sthervin Matos looking to keep the 2-1 Quad Cities lead.

Quad Cities added two runs against right-hander Josh Uhen. With two in the seventh inning, Trompiz grounded an infield single down the third-base line and scored when left fielder Jason Martin drove a double to left-center field. In the eighth inning, designated hitter Mott Hyde, Fisher and Nottingham hit consecutive one-out singles to make it 4-1.

Comer struck out the side around a two-out walk in the eighth inning and struck out all three batters in the ninth inning to earn his first save of the season. He recorded the final nine outs on strikeouts and yielded three hits and one walk in four shutout innings.

The River Bandits, who have allowed only 10 runs in their last 10 games, continue their series with Wisconsin at 7 p.m. Friday.

UP NEXT: Gates open at 6 p.m. Friday for Neon Night, presented by Fitness Xpress. Anyone who wears a neon piece of clothing will get $1 off any regularly priced ticket. After the 7 p.m. game will be Friday Fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of the 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.

BANDITS SWEEP COUGARS, WIN 8TH STRAIGHT

With its longest regular season winning streak in 13 seasons, Quad Cities is the first team in baseball to 21 wins

GENEVA, Ill. (May 6, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers Joshua James, Reymin Guduan, Brock Dykxhoorn and Eric Peterson combined to hold the Kane County Cougars to one run on seven singles at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Wednesday, and the team completed a perfect six-game road trip to win its eighth straight game and become the first team in baseball to win 21 games this season.

The first-place River Bandits (21-6) have their best 27-game start in at least 30 years and their longest regular season winning streak since a 10-game streak April 26-May 7, 2002. They are 13-2 on the road and have swept three straight road series to win nine straight road games for the first time since August 2010. The team had not been perfect on a road trip of six or more games in at least 12 seasons.

Kane County (11-16) kept Quad Cities scoreless for three innings, as Cougars left-hander Jared Miller (2-2) retired nine of the first 10 batters. In the fourth inning, Miller walked first baseman Jamie Ritchie before designated hitter Mott Hyde flied out to center field. Third baseman Nick Tanielu grounded into a fielder's choice that retired Ritchie, but catcher Alfredo Gonzalez doubled to left field to score Tanielu. It was the only run in five innings against Miller, who allowed three hits and one walk with four strikeouts.

For the River Bandits, James began by retiring the first five batters he faced. With two outs in the second inning, Cougars designated hitter Steve McQuail singled to left field, and James allowed the first walk by a Quad Cities pitcher since the seventh inning of Sunday's game in Wisconsin - a stretch of 22 innings - to catcher Stryker Trahan. James also walked third baseman Joe Munoz to load the bases before second baseman Alvaro Rondon hit a 3-2, two-out pitch for an inning-ending flyout to left fielder Sean McMullen.

James lasted until the fourth inning with two outs, when Trahan and Munoz hit consecutive singles. James was removed after allowing four hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 3 2/3 shutout innings. Guduan came in to strike out Rondon to end the inning and retired all three batters in the fifth inning to preserve the 1-0 lead. The left-hander was earned the win in his first two Midwest League outings.

After Miller, Cougars right-hander Jeferson Mejia began the sixth inning and kept the game at 1-0 through the seventh inning. In the eighth inning, shortstop Thomas Lindauer hit a leadoff single to left field, went to second base on a sacrifice by center fielder Jason Martin, to third base on a flyout by Ritchie and scored on Mejia's wild pitch for a 2-0 Quad Cities lead.

Beginning the sixth inning after Guduan, Dykxhoorn kept Kane County scoreless until the eighth inning. With a 2-0 lead, he allowed a two-out single by first baseman Marty Herum, hit Elander with a pitch and walked McQuail to load the bases. Dykxhoorn then threw a wild pitch with Trahan batting, and Herum scored the first run against a Quad Cities pitcher since the third inning Monday - a span of 23 innings. With the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position, Trahan flied out to right field on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning. Dykxhoorn allowed one earned run on three hits and one walk with two strikeouts in three innings.

The River Bandits added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning against Cougars right-hander Bud Jeter. Third baseman Kristian Trompiz singled to center field, Gonzalez was hit by a pitch, and second baseman Alex Hernandez put down a sacrifice that Munoz failed to field cleanly. Right fielder Ryan Bottger hit an RBI single to center field, and two batters later, Lindauer hit a sacrifice fly to make it 4-1. In the bottom of the ninth, Peterson allowed a leadoff walk to Munoz before setting down the next three batters for his third save and the first River Bandits sweep in Kane County since a four-game opening series April 4-7, 2013. In its last nine games, the Quad Cities pitching staff has pitched two shutouts and allowed a total of nine runs - six earned - in 83 innings, for a  0.65 ERA in that span.

MENGDEN, BANDITS CONTINUE TO ROLL IN SHUTOUT

Quad Cities wins seventh straight as right-hander and pitching staff both extend scoreless streaks to 15 innings

GENEVA, Ill. (May 5, 2015) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Daniel Mengden pitched a career-high six innings and combined with right-handers Keegan Yuhl and Ryan Thompson for a six-hit shutout, while third baseman Nick Tanielu had a team-high three hits in a 4-0 win over the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark and seventh straight Quad Cities victory Tuesday afternoon.

With their longest winning streak since winning seven in a row July 28-Aug. 3, 2013, the River Bandits (20-6) led the Western Division by 5 ½ games entering Tuesday night's games. In its last eight games, the Quad Cities pitching staff has pitched two shutouts and allowed a total of eight runs - five earned - in 74 innings, for a  0.61 ERA in that span. The team has also not walked an opposing batter in the last 20 innings and leads the Midwest League this season with a 2.09 ERA and 1.09 walks plus hits per inning pitched (WHIP).

With Tuesday's shutout, the River Bandits have kept Kane County (11-15) scoreless for the last 15 innings. Mengden (2-1) also extended a personal 15-inning scoreless streak that covers his last three outings. On Tuesday, he retired the first nine Kane County batters, including three on strikeouts, and finished with five hits and no walks with four strikeouts in six innings.

Facing Quad Cities for the second time this season, Cougars right-hander Brent Jones (1-3) kept the game scoreless for three innings. In the top of the fourth inning, River Bandits center fielder Derek Fisher led off with a bunt single to the third-base side and went to second base on Tanielu's one-out single to right field. With two outs and runners at first and second bases, left fielder Sean McMullen lined a double down the right-field line to score Fisher and place Tanielu at third base. Designated hitter Jason Martin followed by chopping an infield single behind second base to score Tanielu, but McMullen was thrown out at home plate to end the inning with a 2-0 Quad Cities lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Cougars center fielder Colin Bray became the first batter to reach base against Mengden with a bunt single that rolled parallel to the third-base line until it struck third base. Shortstop Ryan Gebhardt then singled to right field. With the tying run at first base, Mengden got second baseman Cody Regis to ground into a double play, and then fielded a ground ball to retire designated hitter Steve McQuail. In the fifth inning, Cougars catcher Stryker Trahan and third baseman Joe Munoz each singled with two outs before right fielder Victor Reyes popped out. In the sixth inning, Regis hit a two-out double before McQuail flied out to end the inning.

Jones kept the score at 2-0 through six innings, in which he allowed eight hits and three walks with three strikeouts. In the fifth, shortstop Kristian Trompiz singled and went to second base on a sacrifice by right fielder Bobby Boyd. The game paused as home plate umpire J.C. Velez-Morales, struck in the head by a foul bunted ball during Boyd's at bat, left the field for treatment, and base umpire Andrew Chesnut took over home plate and solo umpiring duties. Trompiz advanced to third base on a passed ball but was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice. In the sixth, Tanielu's single and walks to McMullen and Martin loaded the bases before Trompiz flied out to end the inning.

In the seventh inning, Cougars left-hander Steve Hathaway walked Boyd, and catcher Jamie Ritchie reached on Gebhardt's throwing error that also sent Boyd to third. Second baseman Mott Hyde put a one-out squeeze bunt toward first base to score Boyd and move Ritchie to second base, and Tanielu - who has four straight multi-hit games - hit an RBI single for a 4-0 lead. Hathaway pitched a scoreless eighth inning and right-hander Luis Ramirez worked a scoreless ninth inning, but the Quad Cities bullpen held the Cougars to one baserunner, as Yuhl worked around a Reyes single in the eighth inning, and Thompson pitched a perfect ninth inning.

In Wednesday's 11 a.m. series finale, River Bandits right-hander Joshua James (1-0) is scheduled to face Cougars left-hander Jared Miller (2-1). The River Bandits seek their first eight-game regular season winning streak since they won 10 straight games April 26-May 7, 2002. With eight straight road wins - their longest such streak since nine straight in August 2010 - and a 12-2 record on the road this season, they also seek a third straight road series sweep and their first series sweep in Kane County since a four-game opening series April 4-7, 2013.

Quad Cities uses three-run sixth inning to snap six-game losing streak at Kane County

GENEVA, Ill. (May 4, 2015) - Right-hander Austin Chrismon became the first Quad Cities River Bandits starter to pitch seven innings in a game this season, and left fielder Derek Fisher hit a go-ahead two-run double in a three-run sixth inning that gave the visitors a 3-1 victory over the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark and season-high sixth straight win Monday night.

Eight different River Bandits had a hit in the team's 11^th comeback victory of the year. After losing its last six games at Kane County last season, Quad Cities (19-6) won Monday to remain perfect in five road series openers this season and opened a five-game first-place lead in in the Midwest League Western Division. Quad Cities' six-game winning streak is its longest since six straight wins last May 27-June 1.

Chrismon (3-1) allowed one run on five hits in the first three innings, but after allowing an infield single to start the fourth inning, he set down the next 12 batters in order. He was charged with one earned run on six hits and no walks with one strikeout in seven innings. Right-hander Jose Montero worked around a single in the eighth inning to toss two scoreless innings for his fourth save. In the last seven games, the River Bandits (19-6) have allowed eight total runs, and just five earned runs in 65 innings for a 0.69 team ERA in that span.

Opposite Chrismon, Cougars right-hander Markus Solbach (1-2) held the River Bandits to one hit, one walk and no runs through the first five innings. Kane County (11-14) gave Solbach a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Right fielder Josh Elander hit a one-out single to right field and went to second base on a groundout by center fielder Colin Bray. Shortstop Ryan Gebhardt reached on an infield single to the left side to put runners at first and third bases, and second baseman Cody Regis hit an RBI single through the right side of the infield, before designated hitter Steve McQuail flied out to end the inning.

In the pivotal top of the sixth inning, shortstop Kristian Trompiz hit a leadoff single to center field and on a pitch in the dirt by Solbach, Trompiz ran for second base, where he dodged Gebhardt's tag. Right fielder Bobby Boyd grounded out to Regis to advance Trompiz to third base. First baseman Jamie Ritchie then drew a full-count walk, before Fisher hit the first pitch from Solbach to the warning track in left-center field to score Trompiz and Ritchie with the tying and go-ahead runs, respectively. Second baseman Mott Hyde, the reigning Midwest League Player of the Week, then singled to center field, and after Bray's throw to the plate, Fisher avoided the tag of catcher Jose Queliz to make it 3-1. Third baseman Nick Tanielu followed with a single to chase Solbach, who was charged with three earned runs on five hits and two walks with three strikeouts in 5 1/3 innings. Right-hander Jency Solis came in to get catcher Jacob Nottingham to ground into an inning-ending double play.

The Cougars bullpen worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings. In the seventh inning, Solis allowed a leadoff single to designated hitter Sean McMullen but picked him off first base. Left fielder Jason Martin then walked, and Trompiz was hit by a pitch, but a strikeout and fielder's choice ended the inning. In the eighth inning, right-hander Cody Geyer allowed a one-out walk to Hyde and singles by Tanielu and Nottingham to load the bases, before McMullen lined to first baseman Marty Herum for an inning-ending double play. In the ninth inning, right-hander Nick Baker allowed Martin's leadoff single before Queliz threw out Martin at second base on a missed bunt by Trompiz. Boyd added a two-out double, but Baker struck out Ritchie to end the inning.

Winners of seven straight road games with an 11-2 overall record on the road this season, the River Bandits continue their series in Kane County at noon Monday. River Bandits right-hander Daniel Mengden (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Brent Jones (1-2).

CHICAGO (05/03/2015)(readMedia)-- Thousands of people gathered at Grant Park in downtown Chicago for the 2015 National Football League Draft from April 30 to May 2. Behind the lights, the vendors, and the regalia of the draft, the Illinois National Guard's 5th Civil Support Team out of Bartonville, Illinois and their partners were on duty, silently protecting the masses from threats.

Working events like this is what the 5th CST does. They are a 22-person, full-time, team comprised of highly trained Soldiers and Airmen that specialize in all aspects of chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high-yield explosives and weapons of mass destruction threats. The team is broken into six specialized teams that identify and respond to those threats; a command and control team, a science team, a medical team, a decontamination team, a survey team, and a communications team.

For this event, the CST brought personnel to conduct joint hazard assessment team, or JHAT, patrols. The JHAT teams are comprised of Illinois National Guardsmen an dcivilian partners.

Though the NFL Draft is a major event, it is not necessary for the full complement of the CST to deploy every time explained Capt. Christopher Young of Morton, Illinois, Medical Operations Officer for the 5th CST.

"Though it was a large event, when we're asked to do a JHAT mission, we typically just send the necessary pieces," said Young.

While the CST works with local and national government agencies regularly, for the majority of events, they are requested by the U.S. Department of Energy. Once on site, they provide their expertise and abilities to assist in threat detection and response.

"It's tremendous to have the CST augment us," said Christine Van Horn, Regional Response Coordinator for the National Nuclear Security Administration's Radiological Assistance Program (RAP) 5 of the U.S. Department of Energy. "The RAP community is relatively small; the CST really brings a lot to the table to help our operations."

Chicago Fire District Chief Josh Dennis praised the CST for their abilities.

"The CST brings a technical expertise that we can definitely use," said Dennis. "We work with much of the same equipment, but the CST does it on a daily basis and has a level of familiarity that is unmatched."

CST members train not only to augment with their interagency partners, but to be interchangeable with them, making them a much greater asset in an operation, said Dennis.

Staff Sgt. Maggie Cronin of Peoria Heights, Illinois, a Survey Team Member with the CST stressed the importance of interagency work.

NEW YORK, N.Y. - Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires will offer up more than 300
items that include priceless autographed sports memorabilia, one?of?a?kind VIP experiences and
ticket packages during its 7th Annual UMPS CARE Charities Online Auction. The auction opens at
8 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 1 at www.mlb.com/UmpsCare and closes at 10 p.m. EDT on Monday,
May 11.
Some of the items up for bid include a signed baseball by 2014 National League MVP
and three?time National League Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, a jersey signed by
two?time American League MVP Miguel Cabrera, a signed Albert Pujols game worn cleat,
opportunities to watch batting practice from the field at many MLB ballparks or have a meet
and greet with a player and manager, hotel stays with game tickets from the finest hotels in the
country, opportunities to have lunch with a Major League Baseball umpire, and more than 50
suites or ticket blocks from Minor League Baseball clubs for fans to see some of baseball's rising
stars up close.
There are signed jerseys, bats, baseballs, batting helmets and caps from stars of
yesterday and today as well, including Hall of Famer Lou Brock (signed baseball), Madison
Bumgarner (signed Giants jersey with 2014 World Series patch), Alcides Escobar (used signed
bat), Alex Gordon (signed Royals Louisville Slugger bat), Bryce Harper (signed baseball), Felix
Hernandez (signed baseball with perfect game and Cy Young inscription), Matt Holliday (signed
cleat), Hall of Famer Al Kaline (signed baseball), Derek Jeter (signed baseball), Hall of Famer
Tony LaRussa (signed baseball), Mike Moustakas (signed batting helmet), Buster Posey (signed
baseball), Max Scherzer (signed baseball), Vin Scully (signed baseball), 2015 Hall of Fame
inductee John Smoltz (signed baseball), Hall of Famer Joe Torre (2014 World Series signed
baseball) and so many more.
Auction items from other athletes and celebrities outside of baseball also are available
from the likes of actor/comedian Billy Crystal (signed 2014 World Series signed baseball),
Country Music star Trisha Yearwood (signed 2014 World Series signed baseball), Seattle
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (signed mini helmet), Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver Julio
Jones (2013 NFL Pro Bowl Authentic Game Jersey), Washington Redskins Quarterback Robert
Griffin III (signed adidas print), former professional soccer star David Beckham (signed adidas
print) and Arizona Coyotes Captain Shane Doan (signed Authentic NHL Arizona Coyotes jersey).
"The online auction is one of the biggest fundraising initiatives for UMPS CARE Charities
and has grown tremendously since our first auction in 2009," said Gary Darling, former MLB
umpire and President of the Board for UMPS CARE Charities. "The auction has something for
everyone, from autographed memorabilia to once?in?a?lifetime experiences, so we encourage
fans to tell all of their friends and family to check out the available items on MLB.com and bid
generously to help support a great cause."
All proceeds from the Online Auction support UMPS CARE Charities youth programs to
provide Major League Baseball experiences for children awaiting adoption, Build?A?Bear
Workshop® experiences for hospitalized children coping with serious illnesses, college
scholarships for deserving young adults who were adopted as children, and financial assistance
for families in need. UMPS CARE Charities is the official charity of Major League Baseball
umpires.
For more information or to make a bid, visit www.mlb.com/UmpsCare. The auction
opens at 8 a.m. EDT on Friday, May 1 and closes at 10 p.m. on Monday, May 11.
UMPS CARE Charities is a 501(c)(3) non?profit established by Major League Baseball
(MLB) umpires to provide financial, in?kind and emotional support for America's youth and
families in need. Through its youth?based programs, professional baseball umpires enrich the
lives of at?risk youth and children coping with serious illness by providing memorable baseball
experiences, supporting pediatric medical care, and raising awareness for foster care children
waiting to be adopted. UMPS CARE Charities provides benefactors with "Major League" support
by remaining true to its established creed, "Helping People is an Easy Call." For more information, go to www.UmpsCare.com.
###