LANSING, Mich. (April 8, 2014) - Lansing Lugnuts second baseman Dickie Joe Thon blooped a one-out RBI single to shallow right field in the bottom of the ninth inning to give his team a 5-4, walk-off win in its home opener over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Cooley Law School Stadium Tuesday night.
The game entered the ninth inning tied, 4-4, after Quad Cities (2-3) scored twice in the eighth inning. In the top of the ninth, River Bandits right fielder James Ramsay hit a leadoff single to right field against Lugnuts right-hander Jimmy Cordero (1-0) and advanced to second base on a sacrifice by center fielder Brett Phillips. But Cordero retired shortstop Jack Mayfield on a popup and first baseman Conrad Gregor on a groundout to end the inning. Quad Cities left nine runners on base and went 3-for-14 with runners in scoring position.
River Bandits right-hander Andrew Walter (0-1) started the ninth inning with back-to-back walks to right fielder Derrick Loveless and catcher Santiago Nessy. Left fielder Ian Parmley then sacrificed both runners before Thon blooped an 0-1 pitch for a game-winning RBI. It was the first run against Walter in his first 15 career innings in the Midwest League.
Quad Cities reached the scoreboard in the first inning, when Ramsay hit a leadoff single, stole second and third bases, and scored on Mayfield's RBI double against right-hander Tom Robson. In the third inning, Mayfield drew a walk, advanced on two wild pitches, and scored on a balk by left-hander Alonzo Gonzalez.
River Bandits starter Chris Lee preserved the 2-0 lead by allowing only one hit in the first four innings. But he allowed two hits and a one-out walk to load the bases in the fifth. Left-hander Chris Cotton relieved Lee and escaped the jam by inducing a groundout and lineout.
In the sixth inning, Lansing (2-3) broke through against right-hander Andrew Thurman. Center fielder D.J. Davis hit a leadoff home run down the right-field line to cut the lead to 2-1. Third baseman Mitch Nay walked, and shortstop Dawel Lugo and first baseman Matt Dean each hit singles, with the latter tying the game, 2-2. Thurman fanned Loveless but threw a wild pitch that moved two runners into scoring position, and Nessy grounded a two-run single down the third-base line to make it 4-2. Right-hander Tyler Brunnemann came on in relief and retired all seven batters he faced.
In the eighth inning, the River Bandits rallied against right-hander Roberto Espinosa. Mayfield drew a walk and moved to second base on a passed ball. Third baseman Tyler White then singled to center field to score Mayfield, and second baseman Austin Elkins later singled to extend his five-game hitting streak and chase Espinosa. Cordero entered to face catcher Jobduan Morales, who grounded a sharp single into right field that scored pinch runner Chan-Jong Moon for the tying run.
The inter-division series continues at 6:05 p.m. Central on Wednesday, when River Bandits right-hander Jandel Gustave (1-0) is scheduled to face Lugnuts right-hander Alberto Tirado (0-0).
UP NEXT: The second annual River Bandits Race to Home 5K and Kids Fun Run presented by Palmer Chiropractic Clinics is Saturday at 8 a.m. Thursday is the last day to register using the link at www.riverbandits.com. All proceeds benefit the Bandit Scholars Program. 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 this spring, 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.
*****
