Every Bandit records at least one hit and run scored in victory

PEORIA, Ill. (April 27, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits sent 10 men to the plate in a four-run fifth and then 10 more in a five-run sixth while getting a dominant outing from Gonzalo Sanudo Sunday to crush the Peoria Chiefs 15-3 at Dozer Park. Every single Bandit in the lineup scored a run and recording a hit, with six registered multi-hit games.

Brett Phillips set the tone with an opposite-field home run to leadoff off the game. The shot was Phillips' second of the season and the first leadoff home run by a River Bandit since Teoscar Hernandez's on July 28, 2013 at Beloit. Quad Cities would add one more in the first after Chan-Jong Moon singled, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a groundout to short and scored on Conrad Gregor's bouncer to first.

Quad Cities would add two more runs in the second, courtesy of an RBI singles by Jon Kemmer and Brett Phillips to go up 4-1.

With the score that way in the fifth inning, Peoria starter Chase Brookshire struck out Moon to begin the frame. However, Brookshire yielded back-to-back singles to White and Gregor before walking McDonald to load the bases. The Chiefs then called on Chris Thomas, who hit James Ramsay with a pitch to bring in a run. Jobduan Morales then laced a single to right to score two more runs. After Kemmer struck out, Thomas Lindauer singled to center for Quad Cities' fourth run of the inning to make the score 8-1. All told, the River Bandits would send 10 men to the plate with four hits in a four-run frame.

With the big lead, Sanudo (3-0) worked his way through a scoreless fifth, finishing with a run allowed on just three hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Brookshire (0-3) surrendered seven runs on eight hits with three walks and two punchouts in 4.1 frames.

Quad Cities continued to pound Peoria pitching in the sixth. The Chiefs turned to Blake McKnight, who retired two of the first three batters of the frame. However, he allowed back-to-back singles to Ramsay and Morales, the latter scoring a run, before walking Kemmer. Lindauer ripped his second RBI single, this one plating two runs, in as many innings to make it a 11-3 game. An error on Peoria rightfielder Ronald Castillo allowed two more runs to come home, giving the River Bandits a 10-run lead. Quad Cities sent 10 men to the plate for the second consecutive inning, scoring five runs on five hits.

The score would remain 13-3 until the eighth when Kemmer homered to left for his second bomb of the year. On the very next pitch, Morales clubbed a home run to almost the same spot to make it 15-3. Morales finished a triple short of the cycle in his 4-for-6 day, matching career-highs with four hits and three runs scored. Kemmer went 2-for-5 with a walk, two RBIs and three runs scored.

Adrian Houser worked three innings of relief, allowed two unearned runs on a hit in the sixth while fanning four. Andrew Walter got two outs in the ninth before the game entered a lightning delay with the bases loaded. After 31 minutes, the game was called and the Bandits completed a 3-3 roadtrip.

Quad Cities returns home for a doubleheader tomorrow to kickoff a five-game series with the Clinton LumberKings. The Bandits will send Andrew Thurman (2-1) to the mound against Clinton's Eddie Campbell (1-1). First pitch will be at 6:00 p.m. CT.

UP NEXT: A doubleheader on 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 5:00 p.m. for the 6 p.m. Game 1 start 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.

PEORIA, Ill. (April 26, 2014) - The Quad Cities' bullpen fired five shutout innings but the River Bandits managed just six hits in a 3-2 loss Saturday to the Peoria Chiefs at Dozer Field.

Quad Cities held a 2-1 advantage in the third inning, but Peoria shortstop Juan Herrera led off the frame with a single against River Bandits starter Michael Feliz before promptly stealing second. Herrera was able to tag up and reach third on a fly ball off the bat of Carson Kelly to Quad Cities' rightfielder Brett Phillips. Feliz walked Ronald Castillo and then struck out Kenny Peoples-Walls before Castillo stole second, setting up a second-and-third, two-out situation. The Quad Cities right-hander got Steve Bean to rollover on a groundball behind the first base bag, but it was out of reach of a diving Conrad Gregor, scoring two runs and giving Peoria a 3-2 lead they would not relinquish.

Feliz (1-1) allowed three runs on four hits with four walks and three strikeouts in three innings to suffer the loss.

The River Bandits would muster just one hit offensively throughout the rest of the game, not having anyone get past second base. Quad Cities left 10 runners on base.

Joe Scanio came on in relief of Silfredo Garcia, who surrendered two runs on five hits with three walks and two punchouts in 4.1 frames. Scanio (2-1) worked 2.2 scoreless innings, yielding a lone hit and two walks with a strikeout, to earn the win. Kyle Barraclough was perfect in the eighth and ninth innings, fanning two, to earn his first save of the season.

Brett Phillips led off the game with a triple down the rightfield line and scored when Chan-Jong Moon looped a single to center a batter later.

However, Peoria answered immediately in the home half of the first. Feliz walked C.J. McElroy, who immediately swiped second and scored on Juan Herrera's single to tie the game at one. Herrera went 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Tyler White led off the top of the second with a groundball single to left before Garcia struck out James Ramsay. Jon Kemmer then roped a double off the left-centerfield wall to put runners on second and third with one out. Peoria brought the infield in, which paid off when Thomas Lindauer grounded out to third, keeping the runners put with two outs. However, Garcia then fired a wild pitch, which brought White to the plate and gave Quad Cities a 2-1 advantage.

Zach Morton and Evan Grills each worked two shutout innings of relief. Morton gave up just one hit with a walk and strikeout. Grills was able to scatter two hits and a walk before yielding to Patrick Christensen, who worked a perfect eighth.

Quad Cities hopes to salvage the three-game series by sending Gonzalo Sanudo (2-0) to the mound against Peoria's Chase Brookshire (0-2). First pitch will be at 2:30 p.m. CT.

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.

MOLINE, Ill. (April 23, 2014) - Bruce Graham had a goal and an assist, Jamie Schaafsma scored what proved to be the game winner in the third period and Bryan Pitton made 33 saves as the Allen Americans defeated the host Quad City Mallards 4-2 Wednesday night to take a two games to one lead in the best-of-seven Central Hockey League semi-finals.

The Americans survived a Mallard third period comeback bid that started when Jordan Mayer pounced on a loose puck in the goalmouth to cut what had been a 2-0 Allen lead in half at 8:40 of the third.  Schaafsma responded with the goal that would stand up as the difference by burying the rebound at 14:12 after Mallard goaltender Ty Rimmer (32 shots) foiled Graham's breakaway bid.  The Mallards closed the gap to a single goal a second time when Matt Boyd scored in a goalmouth scramble with two minutes and thirty-nine seconds remaining only for Greger Hansen's empty net goal to clinch victory for Allen with just 17.5 seconds left.

The Mallards never quite recovered after surrendering a pair of special teams goals late in the first period.  The Americans were on the power play when Bruce Graham swept the opening goal home from the slot at 15:38 of the first.  Jonathan Lessard's shorthanded breakaway goal doubled the Allen lead at 18:35.

The Mallards host game four Friday evening and game five Saturday night.  Each of those contests will face off at 7:05 p.m.  Should a sixth game be required, the series would move back to Allen on Tuesday night, April 29.  If the series goes the distance, the Americans would host the seventh and deciding game on Wednesday evening, April 30.

Friday evening brings not only game four between the Mallards and Americans but also the return of the Mallards' popular $1 Dog/$1 Dollar Beer Night presented by 97X.  iWireless Center doors will open at 6:00 p.m. Friday and $1 beers will be available at arena concession stands from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.  $1 hot dogs will be available throughout the game.

Tickets for Mallards home playoff games can be purchased in person at the iWireless Center box office, online at ticketmaster.com, at Ticketmaster outlets or through Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The ticket office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and on game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.

Home of the Chicago Cubs Turns 100 Years Old Today

CHICAGO - Governor Pat Quinn today proclaimed "Wrigley Field Day" to mark the 100th anniversary of the iconic Chicago ballpark. The first ballgame was played at Wrigley Field on April 23, 1914, exactly 100 years ago today.

"Here's to the next 100 years at Wrigley Field," Governor Quinn said. "I saw Jackie Robinson play at Wrigley, which is the last standing ballpark the great number 42 ever played in. From the scoreboard to the ivy and all the legendary athletes that ever stepped foot on its diamond, Wrigley Field is not just an Illinois landmark, it's a national treasure."

The Governor visited the ballpark this morning to highlight how Wrigley Field has long been a source of pride for Cubs fans and players as well as a critically important athletic, cultural and economic institution.

Wrigley Field was built in 1914 and was originally called Weeghman Park. Its name was changed to Cubs Park in 1919, and later Wrigley Field in 1926 in honor of William Wrigley, Jr., the Cubs' majority stakeholder most famous for his chewing gum company. Since then it has been home to numerous Hall of Fame inductees such as Ernie Banks, Ron Santo and Greg Maddux; and iconic announcers, such as Harry Caray and Jack Brickhouse - Ronald Reagan even served as a radio announcer. Wrigley Field is the second oldest standing ballpark in Major League Baseball.

The famous ivy along the outfield wall has been a mainstay since the 1930s, which was also when the scoreboard and the "W" Cubs win flag made their debut.

In its storied history, Wrigley Field has been the location of Babe Ruth's famous "called shot" in the 1932 World Series, the first field to have organ music and has been featured in memorable movies such as Ferris Bueller's Day Off, where the marquee read "SAVE FERRIS," and A League of Their Own, which told the story of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League founded by Philip K. Wrigley in 1943. Wrigley Field also served as the home of the Chicago Bears until 1970.

The Chicago Cubs are planning to celebrate Wrigley Field's 100th anniversary all season long and honor each decade of the ballpark's history by wearing retro uniforms, hosting special events and handing out commemorative giveaways to fans.