Quad Cities pounds out season-high 16 hits in victory
CLINTON, Iowa (April 23, 2014) - Chan-Jong Moon had four hits, including a triple, while Jobduan Morales and Conrad Gregor each added three for Quad Cities as the River Bandits thumped the Clinton LumberKings 7-1 at Ashford University Field.
With the score knotted at one with one out in the top of the third, Moon drove a fastball from Carlos Misell down the left field line. On a full-extension dive, Clinton leftfielder Tyler O'Neill had the ball clank off his glove in fair territory as Moon continued to race around the bases. As Moon was nearing third, O'Neill got up, but then dropped the ball before picking it up again to throw to the plate. The extra time allowed Moon to easily beat the throw on what was ruled a triple and error on O'Neill to give Quad Cities a 2-1 lead. Moon would finish 4-for-5 with a stolen base, two runs scored and RBI.
The River Bandits were able to add to their lead in the fourth when Jobduan Morales lofted a double over the head of Clinton rightfielder Austin Wilson, allowing Alex Gonzalez, who had singled with one out, to score from first and make it 3-1.
Chris Lee would work the bottom half of the fourth before exiting, ultimately scattering five hits to allow just one run with two strikeouts in his four frames. He was replaced by Andrew Thurman, who was electric out of the bullpen. Thurman (2-1) surrendered a lone hit with five punchouts in four innings to earn the win and combined with Albert Minnis, who got the final three outs in a perfect ninth inning, to retire the last 12 LumberKings to come to the plate. In fact, when including Lee's final out of the fourth, the Bandits trio retired 16 of the final 17 Clinton batters. Quad Cities won for the second consecutive day to improve to 9-10.
Misell (3-1) surrendered three runs on seven hits with three walks and a strikeout in four innings to suffer his first loss of the season as Clinton dropped to .500 at 9-9.
The 3-1 lead would hold into the sixth before Quad Cities added to it again. Morales walked to lead off the inning and advanced to third on Thomas Lindauer's double down the left field line. After Tanner Mathis popped out to short, Moon singled to plate both Morales and Lindauer, making it 5-1.
Rafael Pineda came into the game for Clinton in the seventh and got an out before Brett Phillips singled and advanced to second on a fielder's choice. Morales came through again for his second double of the game, this one scoring Phillips to make it 6-1. Morales would later double again in the ninth to become the first River Bandit with three doubles in a single game this season. He finished 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs.
Quad Cities began the eighth inning with three consecutive singles by Moon, Conrad Gregor and Chase McDonald, the latter one bringing home Moon to make the score 7-1. Gregor put together a three-hit night for his third consecutive multi-hit game. Quad Cities' 16 hits were a season high.
Clinton's lone run came on a controversial call in the first inning. With two outs, O'Neill singled to left. Jack Reinheimer, who had singled and stolen second base, tried to score. The relay throw from Mathis in left field and subsequent tag by Morales at the plate appeared to beat Reinheimer, but he was called safe to score Clinton's only run.
The two teams will complete their four game series tomorrow. Kent Emanuel will start for Quad Cities against Clinton's Jake Zokan.
UP NEXT: Markdown Monday opens the next River Bandits homestand on April 28. Bleacher and berm tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos are $2 each. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game against the Clinton LumberKings. Tickets are available at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the 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.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 110 feet over the playing field, is opening in May, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded 300-foot long zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.
