COUGARS' SKULINA, DORRIS NO-HIT BANDITS, 3-0

Quad Cities held hitless for seventh time in 55-year franchise history, first since May 7, 1998

GENEVA, Ill. (May 17, 2014) - Kane County right-hander Tyler Skulina pitched 7 1/3 hitless innings, and left-hander Nathan Dorris got the final five outs of the seventh all-time no-hitter against the Quad Cities Midwest League franchise, coming in the Cougars' 3-0 victory Saturday over the River Bandits at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Kane County (28-14) pitched the eighth no-hitter of its 24-season franchise history. Saturday's feat was the first no-hitter in the Midwest League this season and came one day short of exactly three years after the Cougars' last no-hitter May 18, 2011, when Sugar Ray Marimon went 7 2/3 innings, and Chas Byrne pitched 1 1/3 innings for a 2-0 no-hitter at Cedar Rapids. Quad Cities (19-22) was no-hit Saturday for the first time since May 7, 1998, when Burlington's Lance Davis and Dan Timm combined for a no-hitter.

Skulina (2-1) pitched a perfect first inning, and the Cougars got on the scoreboard within their first two batters against River Bandits right-hander Andrew Thurman (2-3). Right fielder Jake Hannemann drew a leadoff walk, went to second base on a wild pitch, and scored on shortstop Carlos Penalver's single to left-center field. But Thurman got a strikeout, groundout and strikeout to keep the deficit at 1-0.

Skulina started the second inning by hitting first baseman Conrad Gregor with a pitch. A passed ball moved Gregor to second base, but Skulina got a popup by third baseman Jack Mayfield and groundouts by left fielder Ronnie Mitchell and right fielder James Ramsay to end the inning, stranding Gregor at third base - the first of two baserunners left by Quad Cities Saturday.

In the fourth inning, Quad Cities second baseman Chan-Jong Moon drew a leadoff walk, and Gregor drew a one-out walk to put runners at first and second bases. But on the first pitch to Mayfield, catcher Will Remillard threw to first baseman Jacob Rogers to pick off Gregor for the second out. Mayfield struck out to end the inning, beginning a string of the final 16 River Bandits being retired in order.

The Cougars added two runs against Thurman in the fifth inning. Center fielder Trey Martin hit a leadoff double down the left-field line and scored when Thurman made an errant throw to third base on a comeback ground ball by left fielder Shawon Dunston Jr., who reached second base. A wild pitch put Dunston at third, and he scored on Hannemann's sacrifice fly. Thurman was removed after 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs - one earned - on three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. Right-hander Patrick Christensen relieved for 1 1/3 scoreless innings, and right-hander Frederick Tiburcio followed with two perfect innings and four strikeouts in his Midwest League debut.

After Skulina retired his 11th straight hitter on Mitchell's groundout to open the eighth, he was removed from his longest career start to a standing ovation. Dorris escaped the eighth with groundouts by Ramsay and catcher Jake Rodriguez, who caught a no-hitter Tuesday with advanced Class-A Lancaster, but was 0-for-3 on the opposite end Saturday. In the ninth, Dorris struck out shortstop Thomas Lindauer, got center fielder Brett Phillips to fly out to center field, and retired Moon on a groundout to second base to put the date in the record books.

Quad Cities' league-leading team batting average dropped from .279 to .273, but it will seek a four-game series split against Kane County in Sunday's 1 p.m. finale. River Bandits right-hander Jandel Gustave (2-2) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Daury Torrez (4-1).

HOLBERTON HITS FOR CYCLE IN BANDITS ROUT

Designated hitter goes 5-for-5 with five RBIs, achieves first cycle by Quad Cities player in nine years

GENEVA, Ill. (May 18, 2014) - Designated hitter Brian Holberton became the first Quad Cities player to hit for the cycle in nine years with his first career triple in the seventh inning Sunday afternoon, and his 5-for-5, five-RBI day carried the River Bandits to a 10-3 win and four-game series split with the first-place Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Holberton's cycle was the first for the Quad Cities franchise since April 19, 2005, when Brandon Yarbrough doubled, homered, tripled and singled in five at-bats in a 14-10, 11-inning win - also at Kane County. Holberton's cycle is the first in the Midwest League this season.

One day after being no-hit for the eighth time in franchise history, Quad Cities (20-22) got 17 hits against Kane County (28-15). Eight different River Bandits had a hit, and the visitors had at least one hit in eight different innings. Holberton had the only three extra-base hits.

A hitless streak of 11 2/3 innings ended when River Bandits center fielder Brett Phillips led off the game with a single to right field. A wild pickoff throw from right-hander Daury Torrez (4-2) sent Phillips all the way to third base, and shortstop Jack Mayfield brought in Phillips with a groundout. Kane County tied the game, 1-1, on right fielder Yasiel Balaguert's RBI double off right-hander Jandel Gustave (3-2).

Holberton's first at-bat came in the second inning, when he hit a one-out popup behind shortstop that Cougars shortstop Carlos Penalver lost in the sun, allowing Holberton to race to second base for a double. But Torrez and Penalver picked off Holberton to end the inning.

The 1-1 tie remained until the fourth, when Mayfield and first baseman Conrad Gregor hit consecutive singles. Catcher Brett Booth put down a bunt single to the third-base side, and Cougars second baseman Daniel Lockhart committed two errors - a missed a catch at first base and a wild throw to third base - to allow two runs to score and Booth to reach third. Holberton then hit his third home run of the season to right field, making it 5-1. In the fifth inning, Mayfield hit a two-out single and stole second base before scoring on Gregor's RBI single that chased Torrez, who lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs - six earned - on nine hits. Right-hander Michael Wagner allowed a single by Booth, followed by Holberton's RBI single to right field, but Balaguert threw out Booth to end the inning with a 7-1 score.

Gustave retired the final 11 batters of his season-high five-inning start, allowing one earned run on three hits. Right-hander Michael Feliz followed with 3 1/3 innings of relief, allowing two earned runs on four hits - including first baseman Jacob Rogers' seventh-inning solo home run - with two strikeouts. Left-hander Albert Minnis got the final two outs on the mound.

After Mayfield and Gregor hit consecutive singles for the third time in the seventh, Holberton came up with one out. He lined a hit off Wagner into the left-center field gap and raced to third base with a head-first slide as the relay throw got away. Holberton scored his team's 10^th and final run on third baseman Tyler White's sacrifice fly, and he added a ninth-inning single to left-center off right-hander Jose Arias.

Quad Cities opens a six-game homestand at 7 p.m. Monday when it faces Burlington (19-22) for the first time this season. River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias (1-2) is scheduled to face Bees right-hander Elliot Morris (2-1) in the series opener at Modern Woodmen Park.

UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! 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.

 

Wisconsin scores five unanswered runs and shuts out Quad Cities for eight innings in series rubber match

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 14, 2014) - Third baseman Taylor Brennan broke a 1-1 tie with a three-run double to start a four-run Wisconsin fourth inning Wednesday night, and Timber Rattlers pitchers shut out the Quad Cities River Bandits for the final eight innings of a 5-1 win in the finale of a three-game series at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Quad Cities (18-20) scored its only run in the first inning against right-hander Barrett Astin (4-2). Center fielder Brett Phillips led off the game with a double to left-center field, went to second base on a sacrifice by second baseman Chan-Jong Moon and scored on shortstop Jack Mayfield's groundout. It was the only run against Astin, who yielded just three hits and a walk with seven strikeouts in six innings. He did not allow a runner past second base after the first inning.

In the bottom of the first, Timber Rattlers second baseman Chris McFarland reached on an errant throw by Moon and went to second base when the ball went into the first-base dugout. Designated hitter Clint Coulter lined a game-tying single to left-center field, but left-hander Evan Grills (1-1) escaped the inning by inducing a ground-ball double play.

Grills worked around leadoff singles in the second and third innings to keep the score 1-1. In the fourth, Coulter hit a leadoff single, followed by consecutive walks of left fielder Jose Pena and right fielder Michael Ratterree. With the bases loaded, Brennan shot a line drive just inside the third-base line that scored Coulter, Pena and Ratterree for a 4-1 lead. After a flyout and groundout, shortstop Angel Ortega grounded a double past River Bandits third baseman Tyler White to score Brennan for a 5-1 Wisconsin lead.

After Ortega's hit, Grills retired nine of the next 11 batters he faced. With one out in the sixth, he walked Brennan, who was thrown out as the second runner caught stealing by catcher Brett Booth. After becoming the first River Bandit this season to pitch six innings May 2, Grills became the first River Bandit to complete seven innings Wednesday. He allowed five runs - four earned - on seven hits and three walks with two strikeouts against Wisconsin (18-20).

Quad Cities' best chance to come back was in the eighth inning against right-hander Rodolfo Fernandez. Beginning his second inning out of the bullpen following Astin, Fernandez allowed a leadoff single by right fielder Ronnie Mitchell, and one-out singles by Phillips and Moon to load the bases. But Mayfield struck out looking, and first baseman Conrad Gregor grounded to second base to end the inning.

After River Bandits left-hander Chris Cotton pitched a perfect eighth inning, Fernandez pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning to complete three scoreless relief innings, allowing four hits while striking out four batters for his first save of the season.

Quad Cities opens a four-game series against first-place Kane County (26-13) at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Geneva, Ill. River Bandits right-hander Adrian Houser (1-1) is scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Duane Underwood (0-0).

UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! 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.

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uad Cities pitchers strike out 11 batters with no walks to push team back to .500

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (May 12, 2014) - First baseman Conrad Gregor had a season-high three RBIs Monday night, including the go-ahead sacrifice fly in the seventh inning for the Quad Cities River Bandits, who won their season-high sixth straight game, 4-3 over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Quad Cities lost leads of 2-0 and 3-1, but eventually prevailed for the first time on the road in a one-run game to reach .500 (18-18) for the first time since April 17. The six-game winning streak is the team's longest since a seven-game streak July 28-Aug. 3, 2013.

The River Bandits took their first lead in the third inning against Timber Rattlers right-hander Preston Gainey. Center fielder Brett Phillips was hit by a pitch and stole second base. With two outs, shortstop Jack Mayfield lined an RBI double down the left-field line, and Gregor followed with an RBI double on a ground ball past first baseman Steve Halcomb to make it 2-0.

River Bandits right-hander Michael Feliz set down the first eight batters - including a season-high six on strikeouts - and did not allow a baserunner until Wisconsin shortstop Angel Ortega tripled on a play when Phillips slipped on wet turf in center field. Feliz retired 10 of the first 11 he faced before a fourth-inning, one-out single by catcher Clint Coulter ended his outing at 3 1/3 innings. He was charged with two hits and an earned run, after right-hander Patrick Christensen allowed an infield RBI single by Wisconsin third baseman Taylor Brennan.

Quad Cities added to the lead in the top of the fifth inning, as right fielder James Ramsay drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and scored following consecutive one-out singles by Mayfield and Gregor. But Wisconsin (16-20) answered by tying the game in the bottom of the fifth against Christensen. Halcomb reached on a throwing error by Mayfield, and center fielder Johnny Davis singled on a one-out ground ball to center field. After Davis stole second base, second baseman Chris McFarland lined a game-tying, two-run single to center field. Christensen retired Coulter on a flyout, and McFarland was thrown out trying to steal to end the inning. Christensen completed 1 2/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs - one earned - with one strikeout.

Gainey worked 4 2/3 innings for Wisconsin, and left-hander Trevor Seidenberger pitched scoreless relief until the top of the seventh inning. In a 3-3 tie, second baseman Chan-Jong Moon reached on an error by Ortega and went to third base on Mayfield's third hit, which came as Moon was running toward second. With runners at first and second base and no outs, Gregor hit a fly to deep center field that scored the go-ahead unearned run. Seidenberger ended his 2 1/3-inning outing by getting a ground-ball double play.

River Bandits right-hander Jandel Gustave (2-2) began the sixth inning and gave up a one-out double to right fielder Michael Ratterree, who reached third base on a wild pitch but was stranded after a popup and strikeout to end the inning. Gustave retired 10 straight batters before left fielder Omar Garcia's two-out, ninth-inning single. Gustave struck out Halcomb to complete four shutout innings and the game.

Quad Cities continues the series in Wisconsin at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday. River Bandits right-hander Edison Frias (1-1) is scheduled to face Timber Rattlers left-hander Tyler Alexander (2-3).

UP NEXT: The official lighting of the Ferris Wheel will be a part of Markdown Monday when the River Bandits open their next homestand May 19 at Modern Woodmen Park. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and bleacher tickets, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos, soda and beer are just $2 each for the 7 p.m. game. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. Don't miss the great light show that comes with the new Ferris Wheel! 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, will open May 24, along with 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.

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