MIDLAND, Mich. (April 13, 2014) - The Quad Cities River Bandits posted their largest shutout win in six seasons with an 11-0, seven-inning triumph over the Great Lakes Loons in Game 1 of a doubleheader Sunday afternoon, but Loons catcher Kyle Farmer delivered a ninth-inning, walk-off single for a 5-4 Loons win in Game 2 and split at Dow Diamond.
In the first game, Quad Cities right-hander Andrew Thurman (1-1) tossed five shutout innings while scattering four hits and striking out five batters. In one stretch, he retired 10 consecutive batters between allowing two singles in the first inning and two more in the fifth.
The River Bandits (5-5) began their Game 1 rout in the second inning against Loons right-hander Luis Chirinos (1-1). First baseman Conrad Gregor hit a leadoff single, third baseman Tyler White walked, and catcher Brian Holberton hit an RBI single down the first-base line. Designated hitter Tanner Mathis chopped an infield RBI single to shortstop and later scored on a wild pickoff by Chirinos.
The visitors' 3-0 lead stood until the fourth inning. Singles by second baseman Chan-Jong Moon and center fielder Brett Phillips around an error by Loons second baseman Brandon Trinkwon loaded the bases before shortstop Jack Mayfield hit a sacrifice fly. Gregor added a two-run double, and White's RBI double made it 7-0. In the sixth, Ramsay hit a sacrifice fly off right-hander Francisco Villa to make it 8-0.
In the seventh, Mathis and left fielder Jon Kemmer hit consecutive two-out doubles, Moon singled for his third hit, and Ramsay and Phillips each hit RBI singles for an 11-0 margin. Eight players combined for 14 hits, with Moon's three hits a game high. Right-hander Tyler Brunnemann pitched two shutout innings to complete Quad Cities' largest shutout win since an 18-0 win over Dayton Aug. 1, 2008.
In Game 2, Great Lakes (5-5) took a second-inning lead against left-hander Chris Lee. Designated hitter Joey Curletta doubled and scored on second baseman Jesmuel Valentin's two-out RBI double. But Phillips hit a third-inning, three-run triple for a 3-1 Quad Cities lead.
The Loons tied the game in the third after a walk, hit batter and error by Elkins at second preceded Curletta's two-run single to right field. In the fifth, the Loons retook the lead when left fielder Jacob Scavuzzo hit a one-out single, moved to third base on a single by Farmer, and scored when Morales missed catching a third strike on first baseman Paul Hoenecke.
In the next half-inning, however, Quad Cities tied the game after White hit a leadoff double, and Gregor lined a two-out RBI single. But after Gregor's Game 2-tying single, the Loons kept Quad Cities from moving a runner past first base.
Quad Cities right-hander Zach Morton stranded the go-ahead run in the sixth and seventh innings while completing 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Right-hander Patrick Christensen started the ninth and allowed a one-out walk to center fielder Malcolm Holland. Scavuzzo hit a chopper that Elkins failed to field at third base, and with runners at first and third, Farmer hit an 0-2 pitch past the drawn-in infield for the win.
The River Bandits open a six-game homestand against Eastern Division opponents Monday at 7 p.m. against the West Michigan Whitecaps. River Bandits left-hander Kent Emanuel (0-0) is scheduled to face Whitecaps right-hander Jeff Thompson (0-0).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits open a six-game homestand with Markdown Monday presented by 97X for the 7 p.m. game April 14 against the West Michigan Whitecaps. Fans can purchase $2 bleacher and berm tickets, as well as $2 beer, soda, hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos. Tickets are available online at www.riverbandits.com. To order any of the 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.
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.
*****
