06 Jun 2013

CORREA, MCCULLERS WIN ASTROS' MAY HONORS

By Marco LaNave

Houston's top two picks from the 2012 draft win monthly honors one day after being named All-Stars

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 6, 2013) - Shortstop Carlos Correa is the Quad Cities River Bandits Player of the Month for May, and right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers is team's Pitcher of the Month, the Houston Astros announced on Thursday.

The Houston Astros Player Development Department named a Pitcher and Player of the Month at each of their four in-season minor league affiliates. These awards are chosen every month by the field staff of each team. For Correa and McCullers, the Astros' 2012 first-round draft picks, the awards come one day after they were named to their first professional All-Star Game, which will be June 18 in Dayton, Ohio.

Correa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft, led the River Bandits in May with a .349 batting average, 30 hits, 38 total bases and 18 RBIs. He had six doubles, a triple and a .423 on-base percentage in 22 games, which including a career-high 10-game hitting streak May 11-19. He currently leads the River Bandits with 34 RBIs and 14 multi-hit games and is tied for the team lead with three home runs. On Wednesday, the 18-year-old Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, native was named the starting shortstop for the Western Division All-Stars and was the youngest player selected to the league's All-Star rosters.

McCullers, the Astros first supplemental round pick in 2012, earned his first career win May 28 to cap a month in which he had a 1.88 ERA in seven appearances, including four starts. In 24 innings, the 19-year-old Tampa, Fla., native struck out 26 batters. He posted a career-high nine strikeouts in five shutout innings at West Michigan May 5 and did not allow more than two earned runs in any May appearance. After winning his last start June 2 at Beloit, McCullers has a Midwest League-leading 1.70 ERA. He will be on the pitching staff for the Western Division All-Stars June 18.

Through Wednesday, the four active Astros minor league affiliates each have a winning record and are a combined 135-96 for a .584 winning percentage - the best among any organization's minor league system. Quad Cities is in third place in the Midwest League Western Division, while the other three affiliates - advanced Class-A Lancaster, Double-A Corpus Christi and Triple-A Oklahoma City - are each in first place in their respective divisions.

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.

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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

06 Jun 2013

HUGE INNING LEADS KERNELS TO WIN OVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Byron Buxton has hits in each of his first five at-bats to lead 21-hit attack by Western Division leaders

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (JUNE 5, 2013) - Every hitter in the Cedar Rapids Kernels starting lineup had a hit and scored a run in order to start a 10-run, 12-hit fourth inning against the Quad Cities River Bandits, and the home team rallied from a 5-2 deficit to take a 14-5 victory Wednesday night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

Center fielder Byron Buxton finished 5-for-6 with two triples, a double and three runs scored to lead the Kernels (37-20), who moved five games ahead of the River Bandits (32-25) in the Midwest League Western Division first-half race. Shortstop Jorge Polanco went 4-for-6 with two doubles, two runs, and two RBIs, and first baseman Dalton Hicks had a game-high 4 RBIs with two doubles. In all, the Kernels had 21 hits, including six doubles and three triples.

Buxton started the Kernels offense with a leadoff single in the first inning against right-hander Jordan Jankowski, who allowed consecutive doubles by Polanco and Hicks for a 2-0 deficit. Quad Cities began its answer in the top of the second inning, as third baseman Rio Ruiz doubled, went to third base on a single by catcher Roberto Pena and scored on a groundout by designated hitter Brian Blasik. In the third inning, Ruiz added a game-tying RBI single, and Pena followed with a go-ahead double for a 3-2 lead. The River Bandits added two more runs in the fourth inning on shortstop Carlos Correa's RBI single and an RBI groundout from right fielder Terrell Joyce, against right-hander Alex Muren (4-0), who rebounded to pitch 3 2/3 scoreless innings for the Kernels.

With a 5-2 lead in the bottom of the fourth, Jankowski allowed singles by catcher Michael Quesada and second baseman Candido Pimentel before Buxton bounced a ball over Ruiz's leap at third base to bring in a run and make it 5-3. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson (2-2) then entered and allowed six straight hits to each batter he faced, including Polanco's game-tying single, and Hicks' go-ahead double. After every Kernel had a hit with no outs, Lambson left with the River Bandits down 9-5. Right-hander Richard Rodriguez came on to get the three outs in the fourth inning but also allowed a two-run single by second baseman Candido Pimentel and another RBI single by Polanco. A total of 15 Kernels batted, with 12 recording hits to build a 12-5 lead.

Cedar Rapids added a run against Rodriguez in the fifth inning as Quesada hit an RBI single to bring in designated hitter Tyler Grimes following the latter's two-out triple. Right-hander Juan Minaya made his Midwest League debut by pitching the sixth through eighth innings and allowing a sixth-inning run, as Buxton tripled and scored on Hicks' sacrifice fly to make it 14-5.

Kernels pitchers faced one over the minimum for the final 5 2/3 innings, as right-handers Caleb Brewer and Tim Atherton each pitched a scoreless inning. Quad Cities had two hits against the Cedar Rapids bullpen after reaching starter Hein Robb for five runs on four hits in the first 3 1/3 innings.

The River Bandits will send right-hander Vincent Velasquez (4-2) against Kernels right-hander Jose Berrios (4-2) in Game 2 of the series at 6:35 p.m. Thursday in Cedar Rapids.

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.

06 Jun 2013

CORREA, JANKOWSKI, MCCULLERS NAMED ALL-STARS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities has starting shortstop, two pitchers selected to June 18 Summer All-Star Classic in Dayton

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 5, 2013) - Shortstop Carlos Correa and pitchers Jordan Jankowski and Lance McCullers have been selected to represent the Quad Cities River Bandits at the 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game June 18 in Dayton, Ohio, the league announced on Wednesday.

All three River Bandits were 2012 draft picks by the Houston Astros and earned their first professional All-Star selections.

Correa was named the starting shortstop for the Western Division All-Stars and was the youngest player selected for either All-Star roster. The Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, native and No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 draft is hitting .275 in 43 games. He leads the River Bandits with 33 RBIs and 14 multi-hit games and is tied for the team lead with three home runs. In the month of May, Correa led the team with a .349 batting average, 38 total bases and 18 RBIs.

Jankowski, 24, was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 34th round of the 2012 draft out of Catawba College. The McMurray, Pa., native is 2-0 with a 2.61 ERA in 12 games, including seven starts for Quad Cities. In 48 1/3 innings, Jankowski has walked just nine batters and struck out 42. He leads the pitching staff with a 1.06 walks-plus-hits per inning pitched (WHIP). He had a team-high 32 strikeouts with a 0.80 WHIP in May while assembling a streak of 23 1/3 innings without a walk from May 3 to May 31.

McCullers, 19, was drafted in the first supplemental round with the 41st overall pick of the 2012 draft out of Jesuit High School in Tampa, Fla. He leads the Midwest League with a 1.70 ERA and is 2-4 in 13 appearances and eight starts with Quad Cities. In 47 2/3 innings, he has allowed just 37 hits while posting 51 strikeouts - the second-highest total on the pitching staff. His first professional win came on May 28 against Kane County, and he also won his next start June 2 at Beloit.

The Dayton Dragons are hosting the 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game Tuesday, June 18, at Fifth Third Field.

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.

04 Jun 2013

RIVER BANDITS EDGE PAST SNAPPERS WITH 2-1 WIN

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities pulls one-half game ahead of Beloit into second place before series with Cedar Rapids

BELOIT, Wis. (JUNE 3, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits pitchers Colton Cain and Mike Hauschild combined to limit the Beloit Snappers to just one run, and third baseman Rio Ruiz drove in first baseman Jonathan Singleton for both runs in a 2-1 victory at Pohlman Field Monday night.

After winning three of four games in Beloit, the River Bandits (32-24) pulled one-half game ahead of the Snappers (32-25) for second place in the Midwest League Western Division. Quad Cities had fallen out of second place after losing to Beloit at home on May 19.

Beloit scored its only run of the night in the second inning against Cain, as right fielder John Wooten drew a two-out walk and scored on a Ryan Delgado double that dropped just inside the right-field line. Cain worked five innings and allowed one run or fewer for a fifth straight outing. He allowed two hits to put runners at first and second base in the fifth inning but got two ground balls to end the threat.

Singleton and Ruiz put Quad Cities on the board in the sixth inning, as right-hander Derek DeYoung issued a one-out walk to Singleton and allowed a double by designated hitter Jesse Wierzbicki. With runners at second and third base and one out, Ruiz flied to left fielder Ryan Mathews, bringing in Singleton with the tying run against DeYoung, who allowed four hits through the first six innings.

Hauschild (4-0) started the bottom of the sixth inning with a 1-1 tie and got the first four batters he faced before allowing consecutive singles by Wooten and Delgado. But he got second baseman Christopher Bostick to hit a ground ball that shortstop Carlos Correa charged and threw on the run for the second out. With runners at second and third, left fielder Ryan Mathews lined toward deep left field, but Jordan Scott made a running catch to end the inning and preserve a 1-1 tie.

In the eighth inning, Singleton grounded a ball past a shifted defense down the third-base line for a double with one out against right-hander Vincent Voiro (3-2). After Wierzbicki grounded out, Ruiz battled Voiro to a 2-2 count before grounding a single into right field for his second hit, second RBI and the second run Singleton scored in the game.

Hauschild preserved the lead by pitching a perfect eighth inning. In the ninth, he allowed a leadoff single by third baseman Renato Nunez before first baseman Matt Olson hit into a double play. Wooten then grounded to Ruiz, who threw to Singleton for the game's final out.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, June 4. 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 Tuesday, June 4.

The River Bandits have their final scheduled off day of the first half Tuesday before they begin a three-game series with the first-place Cedar Rapids Kernels Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in Cedar Rapids.

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.

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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

03 Jun 2013

MCCULLERS, BANDITS HOLD OFF SNAPPERS FOR WIN

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities pulls within one-half game of Beloit in right-hander's first-ever win as a starter

BELOIT, Wis. (JUNE 2, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-handers Lance McCullers and Daniel Minor shut out the Beloit Snappers for the first 8 1/3 innings Sunday afternoon, and after the latter allowed a two-run home run, right-hander Cameron Lamb got the final two outs of a 3-2 road victory at Pohlman Field.

The River Bandits (31-24) pulled within one-half game of the Snappers (32-24) for second place in the Midwest League Western Division with two weeks remaining in the first-half race. A loss by first-place Cedar Rapids at Kane County Sunday allowed Quad Cities to also move within four games of first place.

McCullers (2-4) struck out six batters in five shutout innings to lower his ERA to a league-low 1.70. He also earned his first-ever win as a starter after earning his first career victory as a reliever in Tuesday's rain-shortened game against Kane County. He started Sunday by striking out the first three batters he faced - extending a string of consecutive strikeouts to six, dating back to his outing Tuesday.

After two perfect innings, McCullers allowed a third-inning leadoff walk to designated hitter Ryan Delgado and one-out single by center fielder Dayton Alexander to put runners at first and third bases. Catcher Roberto Pena then threw out Alexander trying to steal, and McCullers got second baseman Christopher Bostick to ground out to end the inning. McCullers only allowed a fourth-inning, two-out single by Renato Nunez the rest of the way.

Quad Cities tallied single runs in three different innings, beginning in the second against right-hander Seth Streich (5-3). Third baseman Rio Ruiz drew a leadoff walk, and Pena singled. Right fielder John Wooten then bobbled the ball and overthrew third base, allowing Ruiz and Pena to reach scoring position on his pair of errors on the play. River Bandits right fielder Ariel Ovando grounded to second base to bring in Ruiz for a 1-0 lead.

In the fifth inning, the lead grew to 2-0, as center fielder Teoscar Hernandez doubled, reached third on a single by left fielder Jordan Scott, and scored when shortstop Carlos Correa grounded into a fielder's choice. Hernandez added an RBI single in the sixth inning against right-hander Tyler Vail to drive in designated hitter Terrell Joyce, who had drawn a leadoff walk.

With a 3-0 lead, Minor started the sixth inning for Quad Cities and worked around singles in the sixth and eighth innings. He allowed a leadoff single by Bostick in the ninth inning, and two batters later, Nunez hit his 11th home run of the season to close the lead to 3-2. Lamb entered and retired first baseman Matt Olson on a flyout to left field, walked left fielder Ryan Mathews and got Delgado to hit into a game-ending fielder's choice for Lamb's third save. The victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Monday, June 3. 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 Monday, June 3.

The River Bandits will go for their third straight series win and look to surpass the Snappers in the series finale at 7 p.m. Monday. Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain (2-5) will face Beloit right-hander Derek DeYoung (5-2) at 2 p.m. Sunday in Game 3 of the series.

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.

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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

NOTE: Hitting coach Joel Chimelis was ejected by home plate umpire Evan Barger, not Nestor Ceja, as the box score indicates.

*****

03 Jun 2013

BANDITS' WINNING STREAK SNAPPED IN BELOIT

By Marco LaNave

Rio Ruiz drives in all three Quad Cities runs with two-run home run and RBI double

BELOIT, Wis. (JUNE 1, 2013) - The Beloit Snappers hit three home runs and posted 16 hits Saturday night against the Quad Cities River Bandits, who had their six-game winning streak halted by a 10-3 loss to their hosts at Pohlman Field.

Beloit (32-23) widened its lead over Quad Cities (30-24) to 1 ½ games for second place in the Midwest League Western Division and won for the fifth time in six games against the River Bandits this season.

The Snappers broke a scoreless tie with a four-run third inning against right-hander Jamaine Cotton (0-2). With two outs and the bases empty, shortstop Daniel Robertson hit an opposite-field home run to right field for a 1-0 lead, starting a run of six consecutive batters to reach safely against Cotton. Catcher Bruce Maxwell walked, third baseman Renato Nunez doubled, first baseman Matt Olson hit a two-run single, and right fielder John Wooten singled, resulting in a run when center fielder Teoscar Hernandez overran the ball. Designated hitter Christopher Bostick doubled to chase Cotton, who allowed seven hits and four earned runs while walking two batters and striking out two in 2 2/3 innings.

Right-hander Richard Rodriguez got the final out to send Quad Cities to the fourth inning with a 4-0 deficit. In the fourth inning against right-hander Michael Ynoa, designated hitter Miles Hamblin singled, and third baseman Rio Ruiz hit a two-run home run to right field - his third of the season that made it 4-2. After Ryan Mathews extended Beloit's lead to 5-2 in the fourth inning against Rodriguez with his second home run in as many games, Ruiz brought the River Bandits within 5-3 with a sixth-inning RBI double against right-hander Andres Avila (1-1), who started the sixth inning and allowed one earned run on four hits with four walks and one strikeout over the final four innings.

Quad Cities came closest to tying the game in the seventh inning against Avila. Right fielder Ariel Ovando singled, second baseman Austin Elkins grounded into a fielder's choice, left fielder Jordan Scott singled, and Hernandez drew a walk to load the bases with one out. As the tying run stood at second base and the go-ahead run at first, shortstop Carlos Correa popped out to second baseman Sam Roberts, and Hamblin struck out looking for the final out with no runs across.

In the bottom of the seventh, the Snappers pulled away against right-hander Vincent Velasquez. After getting a crucial double play to end the sixth inning and striking out the first batter in the seventh, Velasquez allowed the next six batters to reach base. Wooten drew a walk before Bostick homered to center field for a 7-3 Snappers lead. Roberts singled, Mathews doubled off the glove of Hernandez in center field, and center fielder Brett Vertigan brought in a run with a single off the glove of Elkins into center field. Robertson then hit a double down the right-field for his final hit in a 4-for-4, two-double game that finished a triple shy of the cycle. Velasquez was done after 1 1/3 innings in which he was charged with seven hits and five earned runs. Right-hander John Neely allowed an RBI groundout by Maxwell but completed 1 2/3 shutout innings with one hit.

Following its first loss since Game 1 of a doubleheader May 25 at Clinton, Quad Cities will send right-hander Lance McCullers (1-4) against Beloit right-hander Seth Streich (5-2) at 2 p.m. Sunday in Game 3 of the series.

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.

03 Jun 2013

SINGLETON, BANDITS EXTEND STREAKS WITH WIN

By Marco LaNave

Carlos Correa has game-high three hits to lead Quad Cities within one-half game of second place

BELOIT, Wis. (MAY 31, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits first baseman Jonathan Singleton homered for a third consecutive game to start his season, with a two-run blast that broke 1-1, 14th-inning tie with the Beloit Snappers and helped the River Bandits to a 6-3 victory to extend their season-high winning streak to six games Friday night at Pohlman Field.

Quad Cities (30-23) won its sixth straight game for the first time since a six-game streak in June 2012 and snapped a four-game losing streak to Beloit (31-23). The River Bandits also closed within one-half game of the Snappers for second place in the Midwest League Western Division with a victory in their longest game since a 14-inning, 4-3 loss at Kane County May 5, 2011. The River Bandits last won a game of at least 14 innings July 25, 2010, when they defeated Dayton, 8-5, in 16 innings.

Quad Cities shortstop Carlos Correa led off the 14th inning against left-hander Brent Powers (2-2) with a ground ball that third baseman Renato Nunez misplayed to allow Correa to reach first base. After Miles Hamblin popped out to Nunez on a bunt attempt, Singleton stepped to the plate, carrying an 0-for-5 day so far. But on the first pitch he saw from a left-hander this season, Singleton smashed a towering fly ball to the trees behind the right-center field fence for a 3-1 lead. He became the first River Bandit to homer in three consecutive games since Anthony Garcia did so Aug. 2-4, 2012.

With one out and a two-run lead, River Bandits third baseman Rio Ruiz bounced an infield single over the pitcher's mound, and catcher Roberto Pena hit a ground ball that Nunez bobbled and threw past first base - allowing each runner to reach scoring position with one out. After a groundout by second baseman Austin Elkins, Powers intentionally walked right fielder Terrell Joyce. With the bases loaded, left fielder Jordan Scott lined a two-run double to right-center field for a 5-1 lead. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez followed with a single to left field that scored Joyce for a 6-1 margin, but Scott was tagged out between third base and home plate to end the inning.

Left-hander Mitchell Lambson (2-2), who fanned all three batters in the 13th inning, allowed a walk, two hits and a sacrifice fly before right-hander John Neely entered with one out. Neely allowed a walk and run-scoring single to make it 6-3, but he got left fielder Dayton Alexander to bounce to Ruiz, who started a game-ending double play. The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, June 1. 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 1.

The game had 32 strikeouts - the most by the River Bandits and an opponent this season. Quad Cities pitchers fanned seven batters in a row at one point, and every player in each starting lineup fanned at least once. The River Bandits used five of the game's nine pitchers.

Quad Cities took a 1-0 lead on Correa's third-inning RBI single against Raul Alcantara, who pitched eight innings and struck out nine batters. Snappers designated hitter Ryan Mathews homered off right-hander Jordan Jankowski to tie the game in the bottom of the third.

Quad Cities will try for its seventh straight win - which would be its longest regular-season streak since seven straight May 30-June 5, 2007 - at 7 p.m. Saturday in Beloit. Quad Cities right-hander Jamaine Cotton (0-1) is scheduled to face right-hander Michael Ynoa (0-1).

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.
30 May 2013

HERNANDEZ, SINGLETON POWER BANDITS PAST COUGARS

By Marco LaNave

Pair of sixth-inning homers back eight shutout innings from Mike Hauschild and Colton Cain

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 29, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez homered leading off the sixth inning to break a scoreless tie, and first baseman Jonathan Singleton added his second home run in as many games, leading the home team to a 2-1 victory over the visiting Kane County Cougars Wednesday night in front of 1,753 at Modern Woodmen Park

The River Bandits (29-23) matched a season high with their fifth straight win to close within three games of first-place Cedar Rapids and remain two games behind second-place Beloit. Quad Cities improved to 7-2 against Kane County (24-27) this season.

Right-hander Mike Hauschild retired the first 10 Cougars he faced before issuing a walk to second baseman Gioskar Amaya in the fourth inning. The former University of Dayton Flyer came within one out of his second start this season of five innings without allowing a hit, but he allowed a two-out single by catcher Carlos Escobar and a walk to right fielder Reggie Golden for the Cougars' biggest threat in the first five innings. Hauschild retired shortstop David Bote on a groundout to end five shutout innings with two walks and five strikeouts.

Left-hander Colton Cain (2-5) started the sixth inning for Quad Cities and worked around a one-out walk for a scoreless frame. In the bottom of the sixth, Hernandez led off against right-hander Pierce Johnson (3-4) with his third home run of the season on a 3-2 pitch that exited the field of play in left-center field. After Johnson turned away the next two batters, Kane County manager Mark Johnson went to his bullpen to bring in right-hander Justin Amlung. Johnson finished 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, one earned run and one walk while striking out seven batters in his third start against Quad Cities this season.

Singleton greeted Amlung belted a two-strike pitch to the DHCU On Deck in right-center field for his second home run in as many games this season. The top-rated prospect in the Astros system, according to MLB.com, hit a solo home run in his first at-bat with Quad Cities in the series opener Tuesday night. Singleton doubled in the eighth inning to finish with a second straight two-hit game.

The two home runs were enough, as Cain worked around a singles in the seventh and eighth innings to finish three shutout frames. Right-hander John Neely started the ninth inning by striking out the first two batters but allowed an infield single by designated hitter Marco Hernandez, who reached second base when third baseman Rio Ruiz threw past first base. Escobar drove in Hernandez with a single to right field, but Neely got Golden to hit a one-hopper back to the mound for the final out.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, May 30. 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, May 30.

River Bandits right-hander Jordan Jankowski (3-0) will take the mound against Cougars right-hander Jose Rosario (0-0) in the series finale Thursday night at Modern Woodmen Park. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.

UP NEXT: Thursday night is another Thirst-Day Thursday, featuring $2 drink specials presented by River Cities' Reader, the Quad Cities' CW and Rock 104-9. The first 1,000 fans will receive a free reusable rally tote thanks to Trinity Regional Health System. It's also Country Night at the ballpark. 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.

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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft on June 6 and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!

*****

30 May 2013

Team Runablaze Iowa - Chan returns to the Marathon

By Cal Murdock
Woo and Frank recover from injuries and a look back

Des Moines - May 29, 2013

Learn more about the team, visit the web site Runablaze.com that includes the resume of the team athletes and past running highlights.  1300 of the best Iowa runners, race directors, coaches, volunteers & fans receive this e-mail.
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Runablaze Iowa is sponsored by:

Iowa's best running specialty stores:
Fitness Sports - Des Moines
Runners Flat - Cedar Falls
Running Wild - Cedar Rapids, Coraville, Iowa City & West Burlington

Iowa's on-line registration leader:
GetMeRegistered.com - Bettendorf

Iowa's best races:
Red Flannel, Loop the Lake, Market to Market, Hy Vee road races, Dam to Dam, Marathon to Marathon, Clive Running Festival, Sturgis Falls, Fifth Season, Midnight Madness, Park to Park, Capital Pursuit, IMT Des Moines Marathon and Living History Farms.
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And now for the "News" . . . 


Chan Y Woo finished 4h at the Bayshore Marathon (Traverse City, MI - May 25) in 2:32:47.  Chan reports, "I was on crutches a few months ago. After my second knee surgery in October, I feel like I was almost completely losing my strength to run fast. In order to protect my knee, I didn't start marathon specific training until the last week of March. I slowly increase the intensity of the workout as my knee condition is getting better each day. My weekly training mileage hasn't exceeded 65 miles."

Mason Frank reports, "I'm finally getting back into racing shape.  The removal of my cast and fully healed achilles has helped me get back into the groove!"  Mason finished 19th at the highly competitive Brian Kraft Memorial 5K (Minneapolis, May27)

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Pete Riegel, a leader of course measurement in the US looks back . . . 

I miss the old days too, back when I was running in the early 1970's to 1990's. I didn't know it at the time, but it was a Golden Age for those who wanted to race. Accurate courses were few, but the fields were small. The smallness of the fields allowed the racer to focus on who was ahead. The typical marathon in Ohio had 100 to 300 people and was usually out on country roads. In those days we mid-packers recognized all the familiar faces and knew who we would be racing against in our age group.

As time went by, certification became more common, and as timing became more mechanized the fields began to grow. My later experiences in racing were in races with bigger fields, and there was more difficulty trying to focus on any individual competitor. I remember the Athens (OH) marathon in the late 70's. I was coming around a corner at mile 17 or so, and I spotted a runner way ahead of me. I had not seen him before, so I figured he was slowing. It was a great motivator to try to catch him. I finally did pass him, but it took me four more miles to do it. This sort of motivation is absent when a vast herd of 10000 runners is the field.

Lots more people are running in races today, but I sense that racing is not the principal motivation for many of the runners.

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About Runablaze Iowa
Runablaze Iowa athletes are based throughout Iowa.  Formed in 2006, the purpose of the team is to improve post-collegiate Iowa distance running. Major Iowa running specialty stores, Iowa races and Iowa runners at those races support Runablaze Iowa.

Contact:
Cal Murdock - Team Manager
515-274-5379
calmurdock@earthlink.net

Robyn Friedman - Team President
robynpt@iowatelecom.net
29 May 2013

Loebsack, Jordan, Walz Commend IOC on Decision to Keep Wrestling in the Running for Olympics

By Joe Hand

Will Continue Fight to Ensure Wrestling is Reinstated When Final Decision is Rendered in September

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-02), Jim Jordan (OH-04), and Tim Walz (MN-01) commended the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board's decision to keep wrestling in the running for inclusion in the 2020 Olympic Games.

The IOC Executive Board is meeting this week (May 29-31) in St. Petersburg, Russia and selected three sports to short-list for the 2020 Olympic Games to recommend to the 125th IOC Session.  The Executive Board has short-listed wrestling, baseball/softball, and squash.  The full IOC will meet to vote on the final sport September 7-10 in Buenos Aires.

"The sport of wrestling is a true embodiment of the Olympic spirit and has been embraced by millions around the world.  We are pleased that the IOC Executive Board has recognized this and moved the sport into the next round of consideration," said Loebsack, Jordan and Walz.  "We will continue to fight to ensure wrestling remains an Olympic sport when the final decision is made this fall."

Earlier, the three wrote to IOC President Jacques Rogge urging him to reconsider the decision to remove wrestling from the Summer Olympic program.

"The sport of wrestling and the athletes that represent it are a true testament to the Olympic spirit," wrote the Representatives.  "A decision to eliminate it from the Summer Games would be a loss for the American people, the Olympic family and the entire world community.  We strongly urge you to reconsider your earlier decision and honor the values and traditions of the Olympic Games by recommending wrestling for inclusion in Summer Olympic programs."

The three have also introduced a Resolution (H.Res. 71) expressing opposition to the IOC decision to eliminate wrestling as a core sport.  The bill currently has 46 bipartisan cosponsors and strong support from the wrestling community.

To view a copy of the letter, please click here.

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