With addition of Astros No. 2 prospect, Quad Cities starts home stand with five of Houston's top 13

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 27, 2013) - The Houston Astros will send Jonathan Singleton, the top-rated first base prospect in baseball according to MLB.com, to join the Astros Class-A affiliate, the Quad Cities River Bandits, for the start of the Midwest League team's three-game home stand on Tuesday, May 28, when the River Bandits host the Kane County Cougars at 7 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park.

Ranked by MLB.com as the Astros' top minor league prospect and the system's No. 2 prospect according to Baseball America, Singleton joins a roster that already includes four of the top 13 prospects in the organization, according to Baseball America. River Bandits shortstop Carlos Correa, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft is ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Astros system according to Baseball America and ranks second to Singleton, according to MLB.com. The River Bandits' other top prospects according to Baseball America include Astros 2012 first supplemental round pick, pitcher Lance McCullers (No. 4), third baseman Rio Ruiz (No. 8), and pitcher Vincent Velasquez (No. 13).

Singleton, 21, will make his season debut with Quad Cities after serving a 50-game suspension while on Double-A Corpus Christi's roster. In 2012, his first full season in the Astros organization, Singleton posted career highs with 131 games played, 21 home runs, 79 RBIs, 94 runs, and a .497 slugging percentage to be named the team Most Valuable Player for the Corpus Christi Hooks in the Texas League. He was named a Baseball America Minor League All-Star, a Texas League Midseason and Postseason All-Star. He was selected to play in both the 2012 SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game.

A native of Lakewood, Calif., Singleton was originally draftd by the Philadelphia Phillies in the ninth round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft. Following his rise to No. 2 among the Phillies' top prospects according to Baseball America in 2011, Singleton was traded to Houston on July 29, 2011, along with minor league pitchers Jarred Cosart and Josh Zeid and outfielder Domingo Santana for major league outfielder Hunter Pence. Singleton has a .291 batting average with 50 home runs and 231 RBIs in 394 career minor league games.

Quad Cities hosts the Kane County Cougars for three 7 p.m. games Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, with first pitch at 7 p.m. each night at Modern Woodmen Park

Every starter contributes hit, including three each by Carlos Correa, Austin Elkins, Jobduan Morales

CLINTON, Iowa (MAY 27, 2013) - Shortstop Carlos Correa, second baseman Austin Elkins and catcher Jobduan Morales each had three hits for the Quad Cities River Bandits, who had 16 hits - with at least one from every starter - in an 11-4 Memorial Day victory over the Clinton LumberKings to win a third straight game at Ashford University Field.

The River Bandits (27-23) took a lead with two outs in the first inning on first baseman Miles Hamblin's first Midwest League home run to right field off LumberKings right-hander Matt Anderson (2-5) for a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the first inning, Clinton loaded the bases with two outs against right-hander Vincent Velasquez (4-2), but designated hitter Gaby Guerrero hit into a fielder's choice to end the inning. The tying run at third base was the closest the LumberKings (25-25) came the rest of the afternoon.

In the third inning, Correa hit into a fielder's choice that brought in center fielder Jordan Scott for the first of the latter's game-high three runs. Scott drew three walks, had a bunt single and finished the series 5-for-8 with seven walks in four games.

Quad Cities extended the lead to 4-0 in the fifth inning, as Scott hit a leadoff single and scored on a double to right-center field by Correa, who came home on Hamblin's single. The LumberKings answered with three straight hits against Velasquez in the bottom of the inning, with right fielder Jabari Henry driving in two runs with a double and scoring on an infield grounder to make it 4-3.

The River Bandits answered in the next half-inning, however, as third baseman Ryan Dineen singled to left field, Scott walked, and Correa drove in both with a single just out of reach for second baseman Tim Lopes. With a 6-3 lead, right-hander Jamaine Cotton started the sixth inning for Quad Cities and allowed a leadoff home run by Clinton catcher Tyler Marlette before retiring the side in order.

The River Bandits added a run in the seventh on Morales' RBI double and a four runs in the eighth on a two-run single from left fielder Terrell Joyce, a groundout by designated hitter Brian Blasik, and an RBI single by Morales. The 11 runs were the most for the River Bandits since a season-high 17 runs April 30, and the 16 hits were the most since they had a season-high 17 on April 6.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 28. 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, May 28.

With their first three-game winning streak since May 5-8, the River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park for the first of three games with the Kane County Cougars at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Right-handers Daniel Minor (3-1) and Lance McCullers (0-4) are scheduled to face Cougars right-hander Dillon Maples (0-0).

UP NEXT: All tickets are buy-one-get-one free on Tuesday, which is Outdoors Night for the River Bandits' 7 p.m. game against the Kane County Cougars. Kids Eat Free, and fans can redeem an empty can or bottle of Mountain Dew for a free 16-ounce soda voucher on a Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5. 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.

Terrell Joyce hits third home run, Austin Elkins adds three hits for Quad Cities' second straight victory

CLINTON, Iowa (MAY 26, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right fielder Terrell Joyce hit a solo home run to break a 2-2 tie with one out in the fifth inning, and the visitors waited out a mid-game rain delay and Clinton LumberKings pitching for a 5-2, rain-spattered win at Ashford University Field Sunday afternoon.

Following a one-hour, 19-minute delay before the top of the fourth inning, Quad Cities trailed 2-1 when coming to bat against new right-hander David Holman (0-3). Designated hitter Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and went to third on a ground ball by catcher Roberto Pena. Second baseman Austin Elkins then lined a single into left field to tie the game, 2-2. Elkins and left fielder Jordan Scott, the No. 8 and No. 9 hitters in the River Bandits lineup, combined to go 5-for-7 while drawing two walks and a hit by pitch in 10 plate appearances.

The immediate run following the delay gave a no-decision to Quad Cities left-hander Brian Holmes, who pitched three innings before the delay. Holmes struck out the first five batters of the game but allowed the LumberKings to score twice in the third inning for a 2-1 lead.

Right-hander Gera Sanchez (2-0) started the bottom of the fourth inning following the delay, and he combined with right-hander Jordan Jankowski to retire 17 of 19 batters in the final six innings. LumberKings shortstop Ketel Marte singled once against each right-hander for Clinton's only baserunners following the delay. Sanchez stranded Marte at third base to end the fifth inning, and Pena threw out Marte on a seventh-inning steal attempt.

Joyce's fifth-inning, opposite-field blast to right field against Holman gave Quad Cities (26-23) the lead for good, but the River Bandits added two insurance runs while rain came down steadily in the ninth inning. Left-hander Blake Holovach issued the last two of the LumberKings' 11 walks - matching the season high set in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader - and allowed the runs to score on an error by second baseman Brock Hebert and a wild pitch.

With a 5-2 lead, Jankowski kept the LumberKings (25-24) from putting a ball in play on the wet diamond by striking out the final four batters of the game. He finished four shutout innings for his second save and has not walked a batter in 21 consecutive innings.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 28. 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, May 28.

Quad Cities and Clinton will play the Memorial Day series finale of a four-game, three-day series at 2 p.m. Monday. River Bandits right-handers Vincent Velasquez (3-2) and Jamaine Cotton (0-1) are scheduled face LumberKings right-hander Matt Anderson (2-4).

UP NEXT: All tickets are buy-one-get-one free on Tuesday, which is Outdoors Night for the River Bandits' 7 p.m. game against the Kane County Cougars. Kids Eat Free, and fans can redeem an empty can or bottle of Mountain Dew for a free 16-ounce soda voucher on a Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5. 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.

Miles Hamblin caps rally from 5-0 deficit with go-ahead two-run single in 2-for-3, three-RBI Game 2

CLINTON, Iowa (MAY 25, 2013) - After being shut out for the first 11 innings of a doubleheader against Clinton Saturday night, the Quad Cities River Bandits scored twice in the fifth inning and four times in the sixth inning of Game 2 for a 6-5, seven-inning victory and doubleheader split with the LumberKings, who had taken a 1-0 win in Game 1 at Ashford University Field.

Quad Cities (25-23) drew 11 walks and capitalized on three LumberKings errors to complete its largest comeback victory of the season despite being out-hit, 10-3, in Game 2. The split left Quad Cities and Clinton (25-23) tied for third place in the Western Division, three games behind second-place Beloit, which lost twice at Kane County Saturday.

Trailing 5-0 in the top of the fifth inning in Game 2, Quad Cities drew three straight walks against left-hander Tyler Pike. A bases-loaded wild pitch brought in left fielder Jordan Scott for the first run, and first baseman Miles Hamblin drove home center fielder Teoscar Hernandez with a sacrifice fly to right field that made it 5-2. Right-hander Oliver Garcia (3-2) came on to finish the inning with a 5-2 lead, but the River Bandits rallied against Garcia in the sixth inning.

With a 5-2 lead, Garcia walked catcher Roberto Pena and later Scott to put runners at first and second with one out. Hernandez then hit a check-swing grounder to second baseman Tim Lopes, who had the ball go over his shoulder toward shallow right field, and when Lopes tried to throw out Pena at the plate, the ball bounced in front of catcher Tyler Marlette and went behind him, allowing Scott to score the second run and Hernandez to reach second base on the two-error play by Lopes. With a 5-4 advantage, Garcia walked shortstop Carlos Correa to put runners at first and second, prompting a pitching change to right-hander Grady Wood.

After Correa stole second base, Hamblin hit a line-drive single - the only River Bandits hit in their run-scoring innings - that brought in Hernandez and Correa for a 6-5 lead. It capped the scoring that was aided by seven walks, two wild pitches and two errors in the fifth and sixth innings combined. The comeback made a winner of right-hander Mike Hauschild (3-0), who allowed all five LumberKings runs in a six-hit bottom of the third inning that included both River Bandits errors of the doubleheader. Right-hander Cameron Lamb worked two scoreless innings for his second save, getting help from a pick-off throw from Pena to Correa and a game-ending double play after three LumberKings singles started the inning.

The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, May 26. 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, May 26.

Clinton took Game 1, 1-0 in seven innings, thanks to a fifth-inning, two-out RBI double by center fielder Jabari Henry against left-hander Colton Cain (1-5) to back six shutout innings by right-hander Victor Sanchez (1-1). Each team had four hits and no errors in the opener. After a split of Saturday's doubleheader, the teams will play at 2 p.m. Sunday at Ashford University Field.

UP NEXT: All tickets are buy-one-get-one free on Tuesday, which is Outdoors Night for the River Bandits' 7 p.m. game against the Kane County Cougars. Kids Eat Free, and fans can redeem an empty can or bottle of Mountain Dew for a free 16-ounce soda voucher on a Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5. 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.

Springfield, Missouri?(May 24, 2013) Most of us can recall the memories of summer--long, lazy days; warm summer nights.  Do you remember going camping with the family?  When you made s'mores or slept under the stars?even if it was just in a tent in your own backyard? Or, all the super fun times you had at summer camp?  This summer, Bass Pro Shops offers you the chance to recapture some of those great summer memories -absolutely free!

The Bass Pro Shops Family Summer Camp features free activities and workshops where families can learn the skills they need to enjoy great outdoor adventures that will last a lifetime.  It all begins Saturday, June 8th and continues through Sunday, July 14th at 56 Bass Pro Shops located across the United States and Canada.

Saturdays and Sundays and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12Noon-2 pm, kids will enjoy free craft activities like designing their own compass, making Dad a bobber key chain, coloring their own slap bracelet, designing a lizard door hanger, creating a popsicle stick fish and painting a deer track?a different craft activity each week (while supplies last).

Free Family Summer Camp Workshops will occur hourly 12Noon-4pm Tuesdays and Thursdays and Saturdays and Sundays beginning June 8th.  The entire family will enjoy learning the basics of camping, fishing, archery and hunting.  Other workshops include bird watching, wildlife exploration, water safety, backyard exploration about plants and insects and outdoor discovery showing the importance of conservation.  All workshops are approximately 20 minutes in length and kids will get a free lanyard and then earn a free, collectable pin for every workshop completed (while supplies last).

Not all special activities will be available at all stores but activities could include catch and release ponds, casting targets, archery and Daisy BB gun ranges, or a carousel. You can even have a souvenir photo made Saturdays and Sundays only 12Noon-5pm, June 8-9 & 15-16! And, each Saturday, throughout the event, enjoy the great tradition of homemade ice cream sampling from 5-6pm. Special store activities will vary but you can visit www.basspro.com/summercamp beginning on May 29th and click on an individual store site for times.

And, you can celebrate Quality Deer Management Association (QDMA) Donation month at Bass Pro Shops during this time.  Visit the store, make a donation to QDMA and learn how to enter for a chance to win a $500 Bass Pro Shops Gift Card.

Also available at the Bass Pro Shops Family Summer Camp is a FREE Field & Stream Summer Fun Guide booklet full of different outdoor activities and tips, ideas and product checklists to help you make the most of your summer outdoor adventure.

While attending the Family Summer Camp events at your local store (U.S. store locations only) don't forget to check out the exciting "Toyota Father's Day Sweepstakes." One lucky GRAND PRIZE winner will receive a two-year lease on a 2014 Toyota Tundra SR5 Double Cab 4x2 truck valued at approximately $16,800 (Toyota lease includes 25,000 miles/year and is subject to standard Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.'s (("TMS") lease or agreement terms.  See store for more details and to register or visit www.basspro.com/toyotasweeps beginning June 8th for more details and to register.)

If you are attending the Family Summer Camp events at the Bass Pro Shops stores in Canada, one lucky "Family Summer Camp Sweepstakes" GRAND PRIZE winner will receive a fishing trip for winner and one guest with Dave Mercer. The prize consists of round trip coach air transportation from the major commercial airport closest to winner's residence and use of a rental car, hotel accommodations for 2 days/2 nights, the opportunity to fish with Dave Mercer for one day, and use of various fishing gear (to be determined). Approximate retail value of this prize is $5,500. (See store for more details and to register.)

Get together as a family this summer and make some great outdoor memories and traditions beginning with the Family Summer Camp at Bass Pro Shops!

Contact:      Katie Mitchell, Communications Manager, 417-873-5618
Jenna Kendall, Communications Coordinator, 417-873-5059


About Bass Pro Shops®:
Bass Pro Shops® operates 77 retail stores and Tracker Marine Centers in 26 states and Canada visited by over 116 million people annually.  Bass Pro Shops® also conducts an international catalog and internet retailing operation?the American Rod & Gun® wholesale division--which sells to more than 7,000 independently owned retail stores worldwide.  Outdoor World® Incentives also sells Bass Pro Shops® gift cards through over 132,000 retail outlets across America.  The Bass Pro Shops® restaurant division has 28 locations.  The company's Tracker Marine Group® (www.trackerboats.com) manufactures and sells Tracker®, Nitro®, SunTracker®, Tahoe®, Grizzly® and Mako® boats through Bass Pro Shops® retail stores and over 400 dealers worldwide.  The Resort Group (www.bigcedar.com) includes Big Cedar Lodge® and other resort properties including restaurants and golf courses. For more information regarding Bass Pro Shops® store locations, products or special events, please visit www.basspro.com.  To request a free catalog, call 1-800-BASS PRO.  Follow us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/bassproshops.

Friends of Vander Veer and Davenport Parks and Recreation will kick off their summer theme for Vander Veer Botanical Park and Conservatory at a grand opening event on Tuesday, May 28 at 1:30pm at the Enabling Garden at Vander Veer, 214 W Central Park, in Davenport.  The theme for 2013 will be "Candy Land", featuring Hasbro's Candy Land board game and all of the Candy Land characters.  This fun and educational summer exhibit will be at Vander Veer from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and is intended to provide children with a unique park experience, and help them develop an appreciation for aesthetics, nature, plants and science.

The "Candy Land" exhibits will feature interpretive signs, plant labels with candy related names, scents or colors, backpacks to check out filled with educational components linked to each "Candy Land" character and site, character cut-outs and display items, and special programs for families, children and adults.

Redesigned characters and components for the "Candy Land" theme were done by local artists and Central High School Art students who were recipients of a Quad City Arts ArtDollars Grant.  Character components relate to science, botany, nature, water ecosystems, color and senses.   Characters will be located throughout Vander Veer and paired with an educational component.

Additional programming offered throughout the summer based on the "Candy Land" theme will include :

• Gooey and Good- June 13th 5:30-6:30pm (Family class about making healthy snacks)
• Minty Concoctions- June 27th, 5:30-6:30pm (Adult class about making refreshing summer beverages using mint from the garden)
• Sweet Secrets of Modern Flavorings- July 11th, 5:30-6:30pm (A secondary youth class about the history and origin of spices and flavorings such as vanilla, chocolate, cinnamon)
• My Little Wheelbarrow- June 12th- July 24th, 10-11am (Youth program with nature, gardening, and science)

What: "Candy Land" Grand Opening

When: Tuesday, May 28, 1:30pm

Where: Vander Veer Botanical Park Enabling Garden  214 W Central Park, Davenport IA

Beloit scores winning runs in ninth inning for second straight day against Quad Cities

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 19, 2013) - The Beloit Snappers scored the game-winning run in the top of the ninth inning for a second straight game against the Quad Cities River Bandits in front of 2,961 at Modern Woodmen Park, as the visitors broke a 1-1 tie with an RBI single by second baseman Christopher Bostick on the way to a 3-2 win Sunday afternoon.

In a game that included several tense moments in the late innings and the return of Moline High School graduate Dakota Bacus to pitch against Quad Cities, the River Bandits out-hit the Snappers, 10-8, but could not overcome four errors. Quad Cities (23-19) dropped a third straight game to Beloit (24-18) and fell one game behind the Snappers for second place in the Midwest League Western Division.

Beloit took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on Bostick's RBI single to bring in catcher Nick Rickles for the only run against River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor, who scattered five hits and one walk while striking out two batters through the first four innings. Quad Cities gave Minor a no-decision by tying the score in the fifth inning, as catcher Jobduan Morales drew a one-out walk, advanced to third base on a double by second baseman Austin Elkins and scored on an infield grounder by center fielder Teoscar Hernandez. Snappers right-hander Austin House allowed five hits, an earned run and three walks, while striking out two and benefitting from four double plays.

Right-hander Lance McCullers (0-4) started the sixth inning for the River Bandits, while Bacus (4-1) did the same for the Snappers. Each allowed one hit while working two scoreless frames in the sixth and seventh innings, and each worked himself in and out of trouble in the eighth inning.

McCullers walked Bostick to lead off the eighth and then moved the runner to second on a wild pickoff throw. When McCullers failed to cleanly field a bunt by designated hitter Bruce Maxwell, the Snappers had runners at first and third base with no outs. But McCullers got third baseman Renato Nunez on a popup before consecutive strikeouts of first baseman Matt Olson and right fielder John Wooten.

Bacus allowed consecutive singles by River Bandits shortstop Carlos Correa, who extended his 10-game hitting streak, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki. Bacus then retired left fielder Terrell Joyce on a flyout to left field, but a wild pitch moved Correa to third base. Correa tried to score on third baseman Rio Ruiz's high chopper to Olson at first base but the throw got Correa for the second out, and designated hitter Brian Blasik struck out swinging to end the inning.

In the Snappers' ninth inning, left fielder Ryan Mathews and center fielder Brett Vertigan drew back-to-back two-out walks against McCullers before Bostick's single, which right fielder Ariel Ovando misplayed, allowing Mathews and Vertigan to score. Trailing 3-1, Quad Cities rallied with a two-out walk by Elkins and consecutive singles by Hernandez and Correa to score one run. After Correa stole second base to put the tying and winning runs in scoring position, Bacus struck out Wierzbicki to seal Beloit's 3-2 victory.

The River Bandits will try to avoid being swept for the first time this season at 11 a.m. Monday, when a tandem of right-hander Mike Hauschild (2-0) and left-hander Colton Cain (1-4) faces Beloit right-hander Raul Alcantara (5-1).

UP NEXT: The final Book Buddies day at the ballpark is Monday, which is presented by 97X. 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.

Spash Bash! 
Water Family Fun Night -kids in pool Friday, May 24, 6pm to 8pm

Kick off the summer with the Splash Bash! Enjoy half price admission to Annie Wittenmyer Family Aquatic Center. Water games will be played and door prizes will be given away! Parks and Recreation instructors and camp counselors will be offering a sample of our summer programs. Come enjoy a night of family water fun!

 

Annie Wittenmyer Aquatic Center

2828 Eastern Avenue, Davenport

 

 

Hershey Track & Field

Saturday, May 18
9am - 11am
Bettendorf High School
Hershey's Track & Field Program was created to provide fun learning experiences for children 9 to 14 years old. This event is FREE to the youth participants. Thanks to sponsorships that support youth physical fitness! Join us as we help kids discover their potential, make new friends, and gain newfound self confidence. Every child is a winner with the Hershey's Track & Field Games!
Tennis Block Party
Saturday, May 18
9am - 1pm
West High School
Let's make some "Racquet" for the 11th annual Tennis Block Party. Come join the neighborhood and have fun playing and learning the sport of tennis. This grand event is brought to you in partnership by Davenport Parks and Recreation, United Neighbors, Davenports Schools, BI-State and Missouri Valley bring you this community event. The event will be held on the West High School courts. Event will move indoors in case of rain

 Candy Land

Grand Opening
Tuesday, May 28
1:30pm

This summer follow the rainbow path to find King Kandy and all his friends at Vander Veer Botanical Park! Begin at the Park Store and locate the characters using our backpacks. Discover plants with candy names and all the colors of the rainbow. Beware of Lord Licorice who wll try to distract you from your mission with the lagoon creatures! Find King Kandy and return to the park store for a surprise.  The Adventure is all yours!  Sign up for our Candy Land programs:

"Minty Concoctions"

Vander Veer Logo

"Gooey and Good"

"The Sweet Secrets of Modern Flavorings"

 

Theme available Memorial Day - Labor Day

 

Conservatory Store hours:

Tuesday - Sunday, 10:00am - 4:oopm. Closed on Monday.

 

Vander Veer Conservatory Friends of Vander Veer

214 W Central Park Ave

Davenport IA

563-326-7818

Hauschild and Neely combine for 4 2/3 shutout innings to finish rubber match of awkward plays

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (MAY 16, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits only had a three-run fifth inning for their offensive output at Wisconsin Thursday afternoon, but left-hander Colton Cain, right-hander Mike Hauschild and right-hander John Neely combined to keep the home team to a single run in a 3-1 win in the deciding game of a three-game series at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

In a game with five errors, two unconventional double plays and other assorted oddities, the starting pitchers - Cain for Quad Cities and right-hander Austin Blaski (2-1) for Wisconsin began by matching each other with four scoreless innings. Quad Cities loaded the bases in the fourth inning on a walk, single and Blaski's first of two errors on bunt attempts. With the bases loaded and no outs, catcher Roberto Pena grounded to shortstop Orlando Arcia, who tagged out baserunner Jesse Wierzbicki going from second to third, and then tagged Miles Hamblin, who had only gone a short distance from third base. Quad Cities right fielder Ariel Ovando struck out swinging to end the inning still in a scoreless tie. The River Bandits (23-16) had their first quirky defensive play in the bottom of the fourth inning, as Timber Rattlers second baseman Chris McFarland grounded to second baseman Austin Elkins, who misfired over the head of Wierzbicki at first base, but Pena grabbed the carom from the first-base dugout screen and fired to Wierzbicki, who tagged out McFarland after he had turned toward second base.

In the fifth inning, Elkins drew a leadoff walk and moved to second base on a single by left fielder Jordan Scott. When center fielder Teoscar Hernandez put a bunt to the third-base side of the pitcher's mound, Blaski fielded the ball and threw it past third baseman Jose Sermo, which allowed Elkins to score and each runner to advance two bases. Shortstop Carlos Correa brought in Scott with a groundout, and Hamblin singled home Hernandez for a 3-0 advantage. Wisconsin answered in the fifth inning when Arcia hit a leadoff single against Cain, and left fielder Tyrone Taylor hit an RBI double to left-center field. After Cain retired right fielder Michael Reed on a groundout, manager Omar Lopez brought in Hauschild - the first second starter of a tandem to enter in the middle of an inning this season. Center fielder Mitch Haniger singled to put runners at first and third base before Hauschild induced an inning-ending double play, keeping it 3-1. Hauschild also escaped a second-and-third, one-out jam in the seventh by getting Reed to line out and Haniger to fly out.

Each team made the final out of its ninth inning by catching a baserunner going past third base. Right-hander Jono Armold induced a one-out ground ball by Hernandez that led to a force out at second, a late throw to first and a throw to get Ovando rounding third. Neely allowed two walks in the bottom half, before Haniger to hit a two-out grounder that caromed off third baseman Ryan Dineen into shallow left field, where Correa stopped it and threw to Dineen, who ran down Arcia and threw to Pena for the final out as Arcia left the basepath.

Thursday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Friday, May 17. 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, May 17. The River Bandits begin a four-game series with Beloit at 7 p.m. Friday, when Quad Cities left-hander Brian Holmes (3-2) and right-hander Jordan Jankowski (2-0) will face Snappers right-hander Seth Streich (3-2).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin their next home stand Friday, May 17, with Petrolpalooza Night - when berm tickets are 10 cents lower than the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline at BP, and bleacher tickets are 10 cents below the price of a premium unleaded gallon. Friday will also feature a Fireworks show presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WLLR and WQAD. 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.

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