Bass throws perfect inning in rehab, Thurman goes four shutout in relief in 5-2 win

CLINTON, Iowa (June 24, 2014) - Anthony Bass threw a perfect inning in his first rehab outing, Andrew Thurman tossed four shutout frames out of the bullpen and Quad Cities pitchers combined to fan nine Clinton LumberKings with no walks in the River Bandits' 5-2 victory Tuesday at Ashford University Field.

Bass struck out Clinton's Zach Shank before getting Marcus Littlewood to fly out to center field and Jack Reinheimer to line to third in his inning of work. The Houston Astros right-hander threw 13 pitches, eight for strikes.

Thurman (4-4) took over in the next inning and dominated the Clinton hitters, ultimately allowing only two hits with three strikeouts.

While the Bandits pitching overpowered the Clinton order, the Quad Cities offense was able to get its pitchers some breathing room. Jose Fernandez, who went 2-for-3, singled with two outs in a scoreless game in the second and then stole second base. A few pitches later, Brett Booth crushed his second home run of the season to give Quad Cities a 2-0 lead.

Thomas Lindauer walked to leadoff the third before James Ramsay fouled out to the catcher Littlewood on a bunt attempt. Austin Elkins then ripped a double to left to put runners on second and third. Brett Phillips, who finished 2-for-4, launched a sacrifice fly to the left-center field wall to score Lindauer from third and make it 3-0. The next batter, Chase McDonald, who was 2-for-5, drilled a double off the center field wall to score Elkins, giving Quad Cities a 4-0 advantage.

After a two-run Littlewood home run in the eighth cut the Quad Cities lead in half, the River Bandits added an insurance run on a Phillips RBI triple in the ninth to make the score 5-2.

Andrew Walter struck out three in the ninth while yielding a double to pick up his sixth save of the season and first since June 1 as the River Bandits improved to 2-2 in the second half and 37-36 overall.

Clinton starter Edwin Diaz (2-4) surrendered four runs on five hits in five innings with two walks and six strikeouts to suffer the loss as Clinton fell to 2-3 and 32-41.

Quad Cities will start Jandel Gustave (5-3, 3.81 ERA) tomorrow night as the River Bandits look to win the series in their first road set of the second half.

UP NEXT: Back-to-back fireworks nights kick of the Fourth of July weekend at Modern Woodmen Park. The ballpark will open Thursday, July 3, for the annual Red, White and Boom Fireworks, and the River Bandits will have Fourth of July Fireworks presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, WLLR and WQAD following the 7 p.m. game on Friday, July 4. Game tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

Editor's Note: Sunday's game was rained out. No word yet from the River Bandits as to when, or if, Anthony Bass will make his rehab start with the team.

Right-handed reliever will be second major leaguer in as many seasons to pitch rehab with River Bandits

DAVENPORT, Iowa. (June 21, 2014) - For a second consecutive season, the Houston Astros are sending a major league pitcher for a rehab assignment in the Quad Cities. Right-hander Anthony Bass is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with the River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park Sunday.

Bass's rehab appearance is the first by a major leaguer for the River Bandits since Astros right-hander Josh Fields pitched a pair of two-inning scoreless outings May 10 and May 13 at Modern Woodmen Park during the 2013 season.

"Bringing major league rehabs to the Quad Cities has been a long time goal of the Bandits, and we are delighted to be getting our second MLB rehab in the past 14 months," said team owner Dave Heller. "Quad Cities fans deserve to be seeing major league talent in our beautiful ballpark, and we will continue to work to bring more major league players to this great community."

Bass, 26, is 1-0 with two saves and a 4.50 ERA in 15 appearances, totaling 18 innings, for Houston this season. When he was placed on the disabled list May 14 (backdated to May 11) with a right intercostal strain, Bass led the Astros with four holds, and he had allowed just a .239 opponent's batting average. Bass has made 90 career Major League appearances with San Diego (2011-13) and Houston (2014). He was acquired by the Astros from the Padres along with cash considerations for a player to be named later (left-hander Patrick Schuster) on Dec. 11, 2013.

DES MOINES, IA (06/20/2014)(readMedia)-- July 1 is the deadline to enter the Iowa State Fair parade and many of the Fair's competitive events. "Nothing Compares" to the Iowa State Fair, August 7-17.

Premium books and entry forms can be accessed at iowastatefair.org/premiumbooks. Entrants in competitive events may enter online or submit their entry by mail. While most entries are due July 1, deadlines do vary by department. Many departments will accept late entries through July 8 with an additional late fee. For more information regarding entry deadlines, competitions or the online entry system, contact the Competitive Events Department at 515/262-3111 ext. 207.

The Iowa State Fair also invites all community and youth groups, special interest clubs and businesses to join the fun and enter the "Amazingly Amusing" State Fair parade, Iowa's largest parade and the kick-off to the Fair.

Applications are available at iowastatefair.org/fair-attractions/parade or by contacting Tonya Cook at 515/262-3111 ext. 215 or tcook@iowastatefair.org. There is a $25 fee for each parade entry. Entries postmarked later than July 1 must include a $15 late fee. No entries will be accepted after July 15.

The parade, set for Wednesday, August 6, will begin at 6:15 p.m. in downtown Des Moines. Spectators will be able to watch an estimated 200 floats, animals, vehicles, novelty and performing units. Staging will take place at the State Capitol Complex. Parade entrants will then travel west on Grand Avenue to 13th Street. Dispersion will take place between 13th and 18th Streets.

Highlights of the gala event will be re-broadcast on parade night throughout central Iowa on KDSM 17 beginning at 10 p.m. To be considered for television coverage, the description information on the application must be completed and returned. Due to the length of the parade, it is not possible for all entries to be televised.

"Nothing Compares" to the 2014 Iowa State Fair, August 7-17. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines. Discounted gate admission tickets are on sale now through our convenient print at home ticket option at iowastatefair.org. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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DAVENPORT, Iowa. (June 19, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits and Main Street Amusements will open another new ride at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday night, as "Space Camp" makes its debut at the ballpark.

"Space Camp" is an electrically-powered four-seat gyroscope manufactured by Amusements International. "Space Camp" will spin its four riders upside-down and around in a roll and tumble motion to give them the feeling of being weightless in space. Developed from NASA's gyroscope used to train astronauts, the ride is unique in its ability to carry four people simultaneously through the experience of weightless motion found in space. It is also unique in that the degree to which the gyroscope rotates is in direct correlation to the weight of each of the four passengers - change the weight of any one passenger and the gyroscope will spin differently.

"Space Camp is another exciting and unique addition to the amusements lineup at Modern Woodmen Park," said River Bandits owner Dave Heller. "We have lifted people high above the ballpark on the Ferris wheel, and sent them soaring on the Zip Line. Now they can experience the weightless thrill of outer space like the NASA astronauts with Space Camp!"

"Space Camp" will require three amusement coupons to ride. Riders must be between 54 and 74 inches in height. "Space Camp" and the 105-foot Ferris wheel are both open during all River Bandits home games, normally beginning 90 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. The rides are also open every Saturday morning - weather permitting - from 10 a.m. to noon, as well as weekend non-game days: Fridays 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to noon and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Sundays 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits are home at 7 p.m. Thursday for a free hat giveaway on Modern Woodmen Night and Pack the Truck Night benefiting the River Bend Food Bank. To order any of the River Bandits 2014 ticket plans - with new lower prices - call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.