14 Jun 2013

Local Quad Cities Business on the Red Carpet

By Crystal Milburn

Studio 910's Original Fascinator Design on the Red Carpet at Preakness and The Kentucky Derby

Davenport, IA (June 14, 2013) - Fashion happens everywhere and Spring is a busy time of year for those in the industry. Studio 910 of Davenport, Iowa has recently been seen on the red carpet of two very well-known horse racing events: Preakness and The Kentucky Derby. Fascinators, Studio 910's specialty, are worn for a variety of social events including horse racing events, weddings, and cocktail parties, and often seen on public figures such as Kate Middleton. It is an alternative to a hat, or a miniature hat, and is fastened by a band or clip.

Studio 910 is credited with adorning Ms. Racing Queen, Tatiana Schoeppler, with an original fascinator design as she presented the 2013 Preakness Trophy alongside Bob Costas of NBC Sports and Frank Stronach of Stronach Group. Brooke Terronez, studio owner, is credited as saying, "we could not have been more honored to see this fashionista wearing one of our favorite fascinators. Her entire ensemble looked stunning." In another Kodak moment and alongside Ms. Racing Queen on the red carpet are Mr. Stronach (Stronach Group), Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed, making the event even more memorable.

At the Kentucky Derby, Briana Mott of Fashion at the Races, was photographed in a Studio 910 piece on the red carpet. Mott is an expert in horse racing fashion, both speaking on the topic and making appearances. The piece worn is the same as that of Ms. Racing Queen.

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About Studio 910

Studio 910 creates one of a kind original millinery pieces as well as custom pieces for weddings, horse racing, and social events. Studio 910 fascinators are meticulously handmade by artisans who have a passion for attention to finite detail. Featured in Dappled Grey, Fashion at the Races, HATalk, and on Paula Sands Live, Studio 910 has established a growing presence in women's fashion since 2009. Each decorative piece is made by hand and sold both online and in Charm Boutique of Bettendorf, Iowa.
14 Jun 2013

ASTROS SIGN NINE ADDITIONAL DRAFT PICKS

By Marco LaNave

Some of these players may be playing for the Quad Cities River Bandits in the very near future. - Ed.

Club has signed 13 of 40 selections from 2013 MLB Draft

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros announced today the signing of nine selections from the 2013 MLB First Year Player Draft: 2B Tony Kemp (5th round), CF Jason Martin (8th round), SS Thomas Lindauer (23rd round), LHP Albert Minnis (25th round), RHP William Chrismon (26th round), RHP Pat Christensen (27th round), LHP Randall Fant (29th round), RHP Zachary Morton (32nd round) and RHP Tyler Brunnemann (40th round). Contract terms were not disclosed. The announcement was made by Astros Director of Amateur Scouting Mike Elias.

Kemp, 21, becomes the Astros highest selection to sign since last weekend's draft. A second baseman out of Vanderbilt, Kemp was this year's SEC Player of the Year after leading the SEC in batting average, on-base percentage, runs and stolen bases. He was also a first-team All-American and finished his season ranking second in the NCAA in hits and 13th in batting average. Kemp was signed by Astros Area Scout Nick Venuto.

"Tony has been the spark atop the Vanderbilt lineup the past few years and we are thrilled to add him to the Astros organization," said Elias. "He has been a success everywhere he has played and brings energy, game-changing speed and defensive versatility to the field every day. He has excited our scouts all year and we expect Astros fans will feel the same when they see him play."

Martin, 17, is the first high school player to sign with Houston. He played last year at Orange Lutheran HS in California and was named a Rawlings Third Team All-American and to the California All-Region First Team. Martin was signed by Astros Area Scout Brad Budzinski.

"Jason has what we call a 'strong profile' for a center fielder - he's fast, he's a left-handed hitter, he works good at-bats and he can hit - all ingredients to develop into a prototypical leadoff man one day," said Elias. "He impressed our scouting staff this spring with his consistent and energetic play and is only 17 years old, so we are looking forward to watching him grow and advance in our system."

The Astros have signed 13 of their 40 draft picks this season. The players agreeing to terms on contracts are listed below.
11 Jun 2013

Fox Sports 1230 To Carry Green Bay Packers

By Jim O'Hara

Clear Channel Radio Quad Cities is proud to announce that beginning this fall, FOX Sports Radio 1230 (WFXN-AM) is the area's exclusive radio home for the Green Bay Packers.

Green Bay Packers Rushing to 1230AM WFXN

Davenport, IA - The Quad Cities' AM 1230, WFXN is proud to announce that starting with the 2013-14 NFL season the station will be the exclusive Quad Cities home for Green Bay Packers football. WFXN will carry all games including home and away during the regular season, plus preseason and any postseason appearances.  

WFXN will broadcast the games on the radio on AM 1230 or online at www.wfxn.net or on iHeartRadio. "It is a thrill to bring NFL icons like the Green Bay Packers to WFXN's listeners", said WFXN program director, Ron Evans.  "We hope the 'cheeseheads' who love the Pack, and even those who don't; will tune in for the latest and greatest from historic Lambeau Field with this year's green and gold squad."

The addition of Green Bay Packers football to WFXN Fox Sports 1230 means the return to Quad Cities radio for veteran play-by-play man Wayne Larrivee; who worked in the area earlier in his career at KSTT-AM in Davenport. While broadcasting in the Quad Cities Wayne called for Iowa Hawkeye football as well as local high school football and Quad City Angels baseball. Larrivee also has worked for The Chicago Bears.

The Green Bay Packers are among the most storied franchises in the National Football League, having won 13 championships?the most of any team.

AM 1230 WFXN is one of six Quad City area radio stations owned by Clear Channel Media and Entertainment.  Other stations in the local Clear Channel cluster includes, 103.7 FM WLLR, 101.3 FM KISS, 96.1 FM KMXG, 101.3 FM KCQQ, and AM 1420 WOC.  With 243 million monthly listeners in the U.S. Clear Channel Media and Entertainment has the largest reach of any radio and television outlet in America.

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11 Jun 2013

Q&A on the Fate of Olympic Wrestling with U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley

By Grassley Press

Q:        Will wrestling retain its status as one of the core sports for the 2020 Summer Olympics?

A: Thanks in part to wrestling fans across Iowa, the popular sport may retain its status in the Olympic games after all.  Uniting fans from around the world, an international groundswell of support captured the attention of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), which in February voted to put wrestling on the chopping block for the 2020 games.  Crossing geo-political boundaries, wrestling enthusiasts from the United States joined forces with those who share a passion for wrestling from 180 other countries, including an unlikely alliance for wrestlers from the United States and those from Russia and Iran.  Considering that 71 countries sent wrestlers to the London games last summer and the sport attracts a global audience averaging 23 million viewers, it seemed incredible that the IOC chose to pull the mat out from underneath this beloved sporting event.  A competition with roots dating back to the games of ancient Greece, wrestling first made its Olympic debut in 708 B.C.  The astonishing proposal to eliminate wrestling by the IOC earlier this year mobilized the wrestling community into high gear.

Q:        Do you support efforts to keep wrestling in the Olympic games?

A:        Absolutely. In February, I introduced a Senate Resolution with Senator Sherrod Brown of Ohio to put the disapproval of wrestling fans on public record.  Our bipartisan resolution won Senate passage in March.  And, the global wrestling community captured the attention of decision-makers at the IOC, who in late May voted to keep wrestling on a short list of finalists for a crucial vote this fall.  The meeting in Russia of the IOC executive board will now be followed by a final vote in September of the general assembly in Buenos Aires.  I applaud efforts of the grass roots, from athletes, their families and the fans who raised their collective voice through social media and online petitions to help continue the efforts to clinch wrestling's spot in the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.  Iowa enjoys a dynamic, rich wrestling tradition, from youth programs to high school and intercollegiate competition.  Anyone who has watched a match understands it takes true grit for an athlete to compete one-on-one on the mat.  Win or lose, athletes score life-long lessons during training and competition, including self-discipline, self-confidence and goal-setting.  Many of the best and brightest students who apply for appointment to an elite military service academy through my Senate office are high school wrestlers.  Nationwide, more than 270,000 high school athletes wrestle, including more than 8,000 women.  The IOC has approved 25 core sports for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games, including athletics (track and field), rowing, badminton, basketball, boxing, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, gymnastics, weightlifting, handball, hockey, Judo, aquatics, modern pentathlon, Tae Kwon Do, tennis, table tennis, shooting, archery, triathlon, sailing and volleyball.  A few years ago, the IOC added golf and rugby for the XXXI Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.  Its vote in September will decide if wrestling, squash or softball/baseball pins the 28th spot for the 2020 Olympic Summer Games.

Monday, June 10, 2013
11 Jun 2013

FORMER RIVER BANDITS LEAD CHIEFS TO SWEEP

By Marco LaNave

Peoria moves one-half game ahead of Quad Cities for third place after third straight home win

PEORIA, Ill. (JUNE 10, 2013) - Former Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Hector Hernandez held this year's team to one run on seven hits in seven innings, and former four-year River Bandit Robert Stock earned his first professional save in a 5-1 Peoria Chiefs win at Dozer Park Monday night.

Hernandez (3-2) kept his former club scoreless for the first six innings, but the River Bandits (34-28) missed opportunities in the third, fourth and fifth innings and left 11 runners on base Monday. The visiting team left 22 on base in the series and was outscored 15-2.

In the third inning, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled, and left fielder Ruben Sosa reached on a bunt single. With two runners on base and no outs, second baseman Austin Elkins popped up a bunt. Then shortstop Carlos Correa lined out to right field, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki flied out to right field to end the threat. Quad Cities got a fourth-inning, two-out double by catcher Roberto Pena, followed by designated hitter Brian Blasik's single - the team's only hit in 11 at-bats with runners in scoring position Monday. Quad Cities finished the three-game series 2-for-18 in such situations. Hector Hernandez fanned Teoscar Hernandez to keep the game scoreless through 3 ½ innings.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Chiefs left fielder and former River Bandit Jordan Walton hit a one-out single to right-center field, and third baseman Patrick Wisdom hit a two-out triple over the head of right fielder Terrell Joyce for the first run. Chiefs center fielder and former River Bandit Nick Martini lined a single to left field, scoring Wisdom for a 2-0 Chiefs lead. The River Bandits loaded the bases with one out in the fifth inning, but Hector Hernandez struck out Joyce and third baseman Rio Ruiz.

The Chiefs (34-27) added three more runs in the fifth inning, as catcher Gerwuins Velazco and second baseman Breyvic Valera started the inning with back-to-back singles. After shortstop Ildemaro Vargas popped out on a bunt attempt, designated hitter Jacob Wilson drove a two-run double down the left-field line to extend the lead to 4-0. Two batters later, first baseman Jeremy Schaffer added an RBI single for a 5-0 advantage. Cotton allowed all the Chiefs runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out two in five innings.

Quad Cities scored its only run in the seventh inning, as Sosa hit a leadoff single, stole second and third bases and scored on Correa's groundout. With a 5-1 deficit in the ninth inning, Sosa drew a one-out walk, and Elkins followed with a single off right-hander Joe Scanio. Stock then entered to face his former team for the first time since catching parts of three seasons and pitching one for the River Bandits. He allowed both runners to advance on a wild pitch before fanning Correa and Wierzbicki to end the game.

With the sweep, Peoria moved one-half game ahead of Quad Cites for third place in the Midwest League Western Division. With six days and seven games remaining for the River Bandits in the first half, they are four games behind second-place Beloit, which won its seventh straight game Monday. First-place Cedar Rapids is five games ahead of Quad Cities and begins a three-game series at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night. River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers (3-4) will face Kernels left-hander Hein Robb (0-0) at 7 p.m.

UP NEXT: Fireworks conclude Thrivent Night in the first game of the River Bandits home stand Tuesday at Modern Woodmen Park. All tickets are buy-one-get-one free, kids eat free and fans can recycle a can or bottle of Mountain Dew at the gates for a free 16-ounce soda voucher on a Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5. It'sreturn home for Thrivent Night at 7 p.m. TuesdaySingle-game tickets 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. 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.
10 Jun 2013

CHIEFS RUN AWAY FROM RIVER BANDITS, 9-1

By Marco LaNave

Rehabbing right-hander Jake Westbrook tosses seven innings to pull Chiefs within one-half game of Quad Cities

PEORIA, Ill. (JUNE 9, 2013) - Right-hander Jake Westbrook pitched seven innings of one-run ball for the Peoria Chiefs, who also got the first two Midwest League home runs by first baseman Jeremy Schaffer in a 9-1 victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits Sunday night at Dozer Park.

Westbrook (1-0), the veteran on a rehab assignment for the St. Louis Cardinals, started by getting three groundouts on five pitches in the top of the first inning. The Chiefs then took the lead for good in the bottom of the inning. Shortstop Ildemaro Vargas reached first base when second baseman Brian Blasik bobbled a grounder, and second baseman Jacob Wilson and left fielder Jordan Walton followed with consecutive RBI doubles against right-hander Juan Minaya (0-1).

In his first Midwest League start, Minaya also allowed single runs in the third and fourth innings. Chiefs right fielder Breyvic Valera led off the third inning with a single, and after Wilson's second hit, Walton hit into a fielder's choice that brought home Valera. On Minaya's first pitch of the fourth inning, Schaffer launched a home run to the lawn beyond the left-center field fence for a 4-0 Peoria lead. It was the last of five hits against Minaya, who yielded three earned runs while striking out three batters in four innings.

Westbrook retired the first 14 batters and did not allow a ball to leave the infield until Blasik grounded a single through the hole between shortstop and third base with two outs in the fifth inning. River Bandits designated hitter Ariel Ovando followed with an opposite-field double over Walton in left field, scoring Blasik and extending Ovando's season-high hitting streak to seven games. But the Chiefs restored the lead to four runs in the bottom of the fifth inning against right-hander Jordan Jankowski. Wilson drew a two-out walk, Walton singled, and designated hitter Patrick Wisdom dropped a pop fly down the right field line to score Wilson and make it 5-1.

Westbrook allowed two more hits in the seventh inning, as first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki hit a leadoff single but was picked off at first base by Westbrook during the next batter. Quad Cities third baseman Rio Ruiz doubled to the right-field corner but was stranded at third base when Blasik grounded out to end the inning. Westbrook allowed four hits and no walks while striking out five batters. He got 14 groundouts and one foul popup to an infielder for the rest his outs.

Chiefs right-hander Thomas Lee allowed one hit and struck out three batters in two shutout innings, while the home team added four runs in the eighth inning against right-hander Richard Rodriguez, who allowed a home run by Schaffer and a two-run triple by Valera, who scored on a throwing error by Blasik to complete the four-run frame with a 9-1 Peoria lead.

Quad Cities is now three games behind second-place Beloit, which won both games of a doubleheader in Burlington Sunday. First-place Cedar Rapids is four games ahead of the River Bandits. After dropping a second straight game to seal its first road series loss in its last six, Quad Cities will try to avoid being swept on the road for the first time this season when they play at 7 p.m. Monday in Peoria. River Bandits right-hander Jamaine Cotton (1-2) is scheduled to face Chiefs and former River Bandits left-hander Hector Hernandez (2-2).

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. Single-game tickets 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. 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.
10 Jun 2013

CHIEFS WALK OFF AGAINST RIVER BANDITS, 1-0

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities drops 1.5 games behind second-place Beloit but remains just three back of first-place Cedar Rapids

PEORIA, Ill. (JUNE 8, 2013) - The first pitch of an intended ninth-inning intentional walk by Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Gera Sanchez got past catcher Roberto Pena and allowed Peoria Chiefs second baseman Jacob Wilson to score the only run of a 1-0 victory by the home team at Dozer Park Saturday night.

After Quad Cities (34-26) left the bases loaded in both the eighth and ninth innings against right-hander Joe Donofrio, Sanchez started the ninth inning in a scoreless tie by walking Wilson. Left fielder Jordan Walton then pushed a bunt to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound, and third baseman Rio Ruiz overran the ball, allowing Wilson to reach second and Walton to reach first with the Chiefs' sixth hit of the game. Third baseman Patrick Wisdom put down a successful sacrifice to move both runners. After a visit to the mound by manager Omar Lopez, Sanchez and Pena prepared to walk first baseman Jeremy Schaffer and load the bases. But Sanchez's first throw came closer to the plate than Pena expected, brushing the catcher's glove on the way to the backstop. Wilson raced home for the game's only run and first in 17 innings against Quad Cities pitchers.

River Bandits right-hander Mike Hauschild and Chiefs right-hander Joe Cuda matched scoreless frames for the first five innings, with Hauschild extending his personal scoreless streak to a team season-high 16 shutout innings. Cuda struck out eight batters, allowed just two hits and a hit batter, and prevented any runners from reaching second base through the first seven innings.

The eighth inning opened the bullpen for the Chiefs, as right-hander Sam Tuivailala allowed a one-out single by right fielder Ariel Ovando, who extended his season-high hitting streak to six games. Jordan Scott later drew a two-out walk, and second baseman Austin Elkins loaded the bases with an infield single. Right-hander Joe Donofrio (3-0) came in to face shortstop Carlos Correa and struck him out swinging to escape the jam. In the bottom of the eighth inning, Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain faced a jam when catcher Gerwuins Velazco walked and Elkins threw high to first base on a grounder by right fielder Breyvic Valera. But Cain got center fielder Nick Martini to pop up a bunt before an inning-ending double play.

Quad Cities knocked on the door against Donofrio in the ninth inning, as first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki singled, and third baseman Rio Ruiz reached on an error by shortstop Ildemaro Vargas. A two-out walk by left fielder Ruben Sosa loaded the bases before Donofrio's inning-ending strikeout of center fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Quad Cities had six of its eight runners left on come in the final two innings.

With a win by the Beloit Snappers at Burlington Saturday night, the River Bandits dropped 1 ½ games behind second place in the Midwest League Western Division with nine games remaining in the first half. First-place Cedar Rapids lost to Kane County, keeping Quad Cities three games behind the division leaders. The River Bandits continue the series in Peoria at 5:00 p.m. Sunday at Dozer Park. Quad Cities is scheduled to see its first opposing major league rehab pitcher, with St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Jake Westbrook taking the mound for Peoria.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. Single-game tickets 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. 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.

10 Jun 2013

BANDITS BULLPEN SILENCES KERNELS IN WIN

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities closes within three games of first-place Cedar Rapids by taking rubber match on the road

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (JUNE 7, 2013) - Left-hander Mitchell Lambson and right-handers Lance McCullers and John Neely combined to pitch six no-hit innings following right-handed starter Daniel Minor, and the Quad Cities River Bandits went on to a 6-1 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in the deciding match of a three-game series at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium Friday night.

After Quad Cities (34-25) and Cedar Rapids (37-22) scored a combined 33 runs in the first two games of their series, the River Bandits took a 6-1 lead over the Kernels through 4 ½ innings Friday. But neither team had a hit (although the teams combined for six walks and a hit batter) over the final 4 ½ innings of the finale. The River Bandits moved within three games of first-place Cedar Rapids with 10 and nine games respectively remaining for the two clubs.

Cedar Rapids opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, as Minor issued a one-out walk to left fielder J.D. Williams. Shortstop Jorge Polanco singled, and first baseman Dalton Hicks drove an RBI double to right-center field for a 1-0 lead. Hicks has nine hits - including five doubles and three home runs - and 10 RBIs in six games against Quad Cities this season. It was the only run against Minor, who went three innings and allowed four hits before Lambson started the fourth inning and struck out all three batters he faced.

The River Bandits took the lead in the third inning against right-handed starter Christian Powell (0-1), who had retired the first six batters in his Midwest League debut. Designated hitter Ariel Ovando extended a five-game hitting streak with a leadoff single, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez lined a double down the left-field line. With runners at second and third bases, right fielder Jordan Scott drilled a two-run triple to the right-center field gap. He later scored on a double by shortstop Carlos Correa down the third-base line, and Correa came home on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.

In the fifth inning, Correa beat out an infielder chopper with one out, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki smacked an RBI double into the right-center field gap. Two batters later, catcher Roberto Pena made it 6-1 with a single to left field that was the final hit for either side.

McCullers (3-4) started the fifth inning and allowed two walks while striking out five batters in four shutout innings to earn his third win in as many outings. Neely had a strikeout, hit batter and game-ending double play in a scoreless ninth inning.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, June 8. 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 Saturday, June 8. The River Bandits begin a three-game series in Peoria at 6:30 p.m. Saturday at Dozer Park. Quad Cities right-hander Mike Hauschild (4-0) will start the opener against right-hander Joe Cuda (3-3).

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. Single-game tickets 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. 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.

07 Jun 2013

CORREA LAUNCHES BANDITS PAST KERNELS, 9-5

By Marco LaNave

On first night of 2013 First-Year Player Draft, 2012 No. 1 overall pick finishes triple shy of cycle

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (JUNE 5, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits shortstop Carlos Correa had a home run, RBI single and three-run double in his first three plate appearances to post a five-RBI game that led his team to a 9-5 victory over the first-place Cedar Rapids Kernels at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium Thursday night.

Less than 45 minutes after the Houston Astros made their first selection of the 2013 First-Year Player Draft, Correa - Houston's pick with the No. 1 overall selection in the 2012 draft - blasted a 2-1 pitch from right-hander Jose Berrios (4-3) deep to left field for his first homer since hitting two April 21 at Wisconsin. It was Correa's fourth Midwest League home run and the first allowed by Berrios this season.

The River Bandits (33-25) extended the lead in the second inning, as third baseman Rio Ruiz drew a walk, second baseman Austin Elkins singled and right fielder Ariel Ovando singled to load the bases. Left fielder Jordan Scott watched four balls to force in a run, and center fielder Ruben Sosa hit into a fielder's choice to bring in another. With Correa batting, Sosa took off for second base, and when the throw from catcher Jhonatan Arias went there, Ovando scampered home for a 3-0 lead. Correa then smacked a line drive that hit just a few feet below the top of the left-field wall, which allowed Sosa to score, although Correa was thrown out at second base on the play.

The Kernels (37-21) answered with the first batter in the bottom of the second inning, as first baseman Dalton Hicks homered to left field off right-hander Vincent Velasquez. It was the only run against Velasquez, who allowed five hits and a season-high three walks while striking out three batters in 4 2/3 innings.

Quad Cities extended the lead with another big inning in the fourth against Berrios with help from the Kernels defense. Catcher Jobduan Morales walked before two consecutive errors by second baseman Candido Pimentel loaded the bases with no outs. Correa stepped to the plate and bounced a ball down the third-base line into the left-field corner, allowing Morales, Scott and Sosa to score on a bases-clearing double. Berrios stayed in to fan designated hitter Miles Hamblin for the pitcher's sixth strikeout before walking first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki. Berrios went a season-low 3 1/3 innings while allowing season highs with nine runs, six earned runs and four walks.

With a 9-1 lead, Velasquez allowed a walk and two-out single before leaving with two outs in the fifth inning. Right-hander Jamaine Cotton (1-2) entered and got the final out before working three more innings. The Kernels scored two unearned runs in the seventh inning, and Hicks added his second home run leading off the eighth inning. Right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched the ninth inning and allowed another run to the Kernels, who out-hit Quad Cities, 10-6. The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Friday, June 7. 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 Friday, June 7.

The River Bandits will start right-hander Daniel Minor (3-1) in the rubber match against Kernels right-hander Christian Powell, who is scheduled to throw his first Midwest League pitch at 6:35 p.m. Friday.

UP NEXT: Reservations can be made from now until June 10 for the River Bandits Father's Day Cookout and pre-game catch scheduled for Sunday, June 16. Check out www.riverbandits.com for details or call 563-324-3000. Single-game tickets 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. 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.
07 Jun 2013

ASTROS SELECT RHP MARK APPEL WITH FIRST-OVERALL PICK

By Marco LaNave

Pitcher drafted out of Stanford; available via conference call tonight

HOUSTON, TX - The Houston Astros have selected right-handed pitcher Mark Appel with the first pick in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft, Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow announced tonight.

Appel, 21, went 10-4 with four complete games and a 2.12 ERA as a senior this season at Stanford University. He recorded 130 strikeouts in his 106.1 innings pitched and allowed just a .203 opponent's batting average. Appel is one of just 10 semifinalists for the National Pitcher of the Year Award as named by the College Baseball Hall of Fame.

Appel's been highly decorated in his four seasons at Stanford, having already won the Pitcher of the Year award in 2012. He is also a two-time Louisville Slugger first team All-American and is a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes Award and the Howser Trophy. Last week, he was named first team All-Pac-12 Conference. Appel is also a Senior CLASS Award finalist and was named Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week and Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week twice this season.

Appel finished his Stanford career as the program's all-time strikeout leader and his 372 career strikeouts rank second among active NCAA hurlers. The Pac-12 Baseball Scholar-Athlete of the Year this season is sixth in program history with 28 career wins and fourth with 377.2 innings pitched.

"We're absolutely thrilled that this came to a conclusion today and that we selected Mark Appel with the first selection in the draft," said Luhnow. "We believe he is a premium talent and we  see him as a future potential ace. He's exactly the type of player that we need to be adding to the organization. He makes us significantly better and we believe this is a special player that is going to be a part of our championship team someday."

Appel becomes the third right-handed pitcher selected first overall in the draft in the last five years, joining Gerrit Cole (2011-PITT) and Stephen Strasburg (2009-WASH). He is also the third right-handed pitcher taken by Houston in the first round in the last five years, a list that also includes Lance McCullers (2012-supplemental) and Mike Foltynewicz (2010).

ABOUT THE FIRST PICK

MARK APPEL

Position: Right-handed pitcher

Bats/Throws: Right/Right

Height/Weight: 6-5/215

Age: 21

College: Stanford 

High School: Monte Vista HS (CA)

This year marks the fourth time that the Astros have had the first overall pick in the MLB Draft. The previous three times were in 2013 (SS Carlos Correa), 1992 (IF Phil Nevin) and 1976 (LHP Floyd Bannister). Houston has had the second overall pick once in their history, which came in 1969 (RHP J.R. Richard).


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