Tony Kemp has three hits, and Rio Ruiz hits third postseason homer in 4-2 clincher over South Bend

DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 14, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Josh Hader struck out eight South Bend Silver Hawks in seven shutout innings, and his teammates built an early 4-0 lead that held for a 4-2 win and three-game sweep of the 2013 Midwest League Championship Series in front of 3,607 at Modern Woodmen Park Saturday night.

In the first year of a new affiliation with the Houston Astros, the River Bandits won the sixth title in Quad Cities franchise history and second in three seasons. Including the playoffs, Quad Cities won its final eight series, 18 of its final 21 games and 20 of its last 24.

One week after pitching a career-high seven innings and yielding just one run in his playoff debut, Hader (2-0) went the same distance but allowed only one baserunner past first. He erased a second-inning single with a double play, stranded singles in the fourth and sixth innings, and left his only walk on base in the seventh. The eight strikeouts were his most as a pitcher in the Houston Astros system.

For a third straight game against South Bend, the River Bandits scored first. Second baseman Tony Kemp, who had a game-high three hits and league-best 12 in eight postseason games, led off with a single to left field. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez put down a sacrifice bunt, but right-hander Aaron Blair (2-1) threw past first base, allowing Kemp to score and Hernandez to reach third base. Left fielder Danry Vasquez singled down the first-base line to knock in Hernandez to make it 2-0.

In the second inning, third baseman Rio Ruiz hit Blair's first pitch out to left field for his third postseason home run - one in each series-clinching game against Cedar Rapids, Beloit and South Bend. Right fielder Jordan Scott added a single to right field, and Kemp drove him in with a double to left-center field, extending the lead to 4-0. Blair then set down eight straight, including five on strikeouts, until Kemp hit a one-out single in the fifth. Blair lasted 4 2/3 innings, allowing all four runs - three earned - on six hits with seven strikeouts.

After Hader struck out at least one batter in each of his seven innings except the sixth, left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the eighth inning and struck out the first two batters he faced. Lambson issued a walk before a fielder's choice groundout ended the inning. The Silver Hawks bullpen allowed three walks but pitched 3 1/3 hitless innings.

In the ninth inning, right-hander Andrew Walter allowed a one-out single by third baseman Brandon Drury, and first baseman Rudy Flores hit a two-run home run down the right-field line - the first runs against Walter in the Midwest League and the first Silver Hawks runs in 23 innings. After second baseman Fidel Pena drew a walk, Walter got designated hitter Roidany Aguila to pop out to catcher Roberto Pena, and right fielder Mike Lang flied to center fielder Teoscar Hernandez for the final out of the Midwest League season.

Saturday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, Sept. 15. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits' victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Sunday, Sept. 15.

UP NEXT: Stay tuned to www.riverbandits.com for the 2014 schedule announcement. For 2014 season tickets, contact the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-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 affiliates to win their league championships.

*****

Quad Cities opens Championship Series with yet another playoff pitchers' duel win over South Bend

SOUTH BEND, Ind. (SEPT. 11, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski struck out a season-high nine batters in seven innings, right fielder Jordan Scott hit a game-tying home run in the seventh inning, and third baseman Rio Ruiz hit a go-ahead RBI single in the eighth inning of a 3-2 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks in the opener of the Midwest League Championship Series at Four Winds Field at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium Wednesday night.

Opening its second Midwest League Championship Series in three seasons, Quad Cities took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five matchup. Game 2 will be at 6:05 p.m. Thursday in South Bend, with River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (3-3 regular season, 1-0 postseason) scheduled to face Silver Hawks right-hander Blake Perry (8-7, 0-0). Game 3 will be Saturday at 7 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park.

Quad Cities took a lead in the third inning against South Bend right-hander Braden Shipley. Designated hitter Brian Blasik drew a one-out walk, and second baseman Tony Kemp reached on an infield single toward third. Both advanced when center fielder Teoscar Hernandez flied out to center field. Shortstop Carlos Correa and left fielder Danry Vasquez each walked to force home the first run.

Devenski (1-0) kept the 1-0 lead despite lone doubles in the second and third innings. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Silver Hawks first baseman Rudy Flores hit a one-out double, and second baseman Fidel Pena cracked a two-run home run to right-center field, giving his team its first lead of the game at 2-1. Devenski then retired 11 of 13 batters, including six on strikeouts, to finish his outing.

Shipley held the lead until Scott led off the seventh with his first home run since June 24, 2012, with the Lexington Legends. In a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the seventh, Devenski allowed a one-out single by Silver Hawks designated hitter Justin Williams but stranded him at third by striking out left fielder Chuck Taylor. South Bend went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left six on base.

In the eighth inning, Correa hit a leadoff single to chase right-hander Kyle Winkler (0-1). Vasquez then grounded into a fielder's choice against left-hander Daniel Gibson, who threw a wild pick-off attempt to first base that moved Vasquez to third with one out. Gibson struck out first baseman Bobby Borchering, but Ruiz fought to a 2-2 count before grounding his first hit of the game through the right side to score Vasquez with two outs for a 3-2 lead. It was Quad Cities' only hit in nine at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Right-hander Patrick Christensen inherited the lead and got two of the first three hitters in the eighth. With center fielder Socrates Brito at first base from his one-out single, right-hander Andrew Walter struck out Flores to end the inning. In the ninth, Pena hit a leadoff single against Walter and went to second base on a sacrifice. Walter then got a strikeout and flyout to left field to earn his third postseason save.

Wednesday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, Sept. 12. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits' victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Thursday, Sept. 12.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will give away nine DVD players - one for each inning - and nine baseball-themed movies courtesy of American TV & Appliance in Davenport at the first Championship Series home game at 7 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks will follow the game, and 12-ounce beer and soda, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos are $1 each. All regular individual tickets are $5 each at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-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 Championship Series will likely be the last chance for Quad Cities fans to see 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa and many other future stars in a River Bandits uniform.

River Bandits continue $1 drink and food specials, $5 for all regular individual seating

DAVENPORT, Iowa (SEPT. 11, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits seek to win their second Midwest League Championship in three seasons beginning Wednesday night in South Bend, Ind., and fans will see the best-of-five 2013 Midwest League Championship decided on the field of Modern Woodmen Park this weekend, along with a championship set of promotions.

The River Bandits, along with American TV & Appliance in Davenport, will give away nine DVD players - one for every inning - and nine DVDs featuring a baseball-themed movie during the first Championship Series home game against the South Bend Silver Hawks at 7 p.m. Saturday. Fireworks, presented by Smart Toyota of the Quad Cities, will follow Game 3 that night, when the team will again offer 12-ounce beer and soda for just $1 each, as well as $1 hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos. Gates will open at 5:30 p.m., and all regular individual seats are on sale for $5 each. The same concession and ticket prices will also apply for a possible Game 4 at 5 p.m. Sunday and possible winner-take-all Game 5 at 7 p.m. Monday.

"The River Bandits have kept rolling in the playoffs to the Midwest League Championship Series, so we will continue to roll out a championship promotional lineup - with a baseball movie and DVD player giveaway, the same great playoff concession and ticket specials, capped with another great fireworks show," said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "We continue to celebrate and thank the people of the Quad Cities for their support, and for the second time in three seasons, they will see a league championship decided at the Best Minor League Ballpark in the country!"

Groups may call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 to book a group area or suite for Saturday, Sunday or Monday night of the Championship Series.

Games 1 and 2 of the Midwest League Championship Series will be played Wednesday and Thursday, respectively, at Four Winds Field at Stanley Coveleski Stadium in South Bend. First pitch is at 6:05 p.m. Central each night. Every game of the Midwest League Championship Series is broadcasted live presented by Mediacom at www.riverbandits.com.

Quad Cities is making its 11th Midwest League Championship Series appearance since joining the Midwest League in 1960. Quad Cities previously reached the championship round in 1968, 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1990, and 2011. The franchise has won five titles - in 1968, 1971, 1979, 1990 and 2011.

UP NEXT: Tickets for the 2013 Midwest League Championship Series are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at  563-324-3000 and online at www.riverbandits.com. Saturday's playoff game will again feature all regular individual seats for $5 each, and 12-ounce beer and soda, as well as hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn and nachos will each be $1. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: 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 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team unveiled a new 300-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 Championship Series will likely be the last chance for Quad Cities fans to see 2012 No. 1 overall pick Carlos Correa and many other future stars in a River Bandits uniform.

Beloit, WI (9/10/13) --- The Quad Cities River Bandits, Western Division Champions, will take on the South Bend Silver Hawks, Eastern Division Champions in the Championship Series.  Schedule as follows:

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 11 & THURSDAY, SEPT. 12, 2013

Quad Cities @ South Bend

Four Winds Field, South Bend, Indiana

Thurs.    7:00 PM EDT

Off Day  

SATURDAY, SEPT. 14, SUNDAY, SEPT. 15, & MONDAY, SEPT. 16, 2013 (if necessary)

South Bend @ Quad Cities

Modern Woodmen Park, Davenport, Iowa

Sat.       7:00 PM CDT                        

Sun.     5:00 PM CDT