25 Jul 2013

MCCULLERS HELPS BANDITS KEEP EDGE TO DOWN BEES

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities wins consecutive games for first time in more than two weeks

BURLINGTON, Iowa (JULY 24, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Lance McCullers struck out six batters in five innings to earn his first win since June 23, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit his team-leading eighth home run to help the visitors to an 8-5 victory over the Burlington Bees at Community Field Wednesday night.

Seven players combined for nine hits to help Quad Cities (17-13 second half, 55-44 overall) win back-to-back games for the first time since July 6-7 in Kane County and score at least seven runs in consecutive games for the first time since July 2-3 at home against Clinton.

In the opener of a three-game series, Burlington (12-19, 38-58) took the lead in the first inning against McCullers (5-5). Bees third baseman Sherman Johnson drew a leadoff walk, and first baseman Wade Hinkle hit his 10th home run to give his team a 2-0 lead. McCullers has allowed a home run in each of his last three starts, while Quad Cities' opponents have homered in seven straight games.

The River Bandits answered quickly against right-hander Pat Lowery (3-6) in the second inning. Designated hitter Bobby Borchering and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki drew consecutive walks and advanced one base each on a wild pitch - the first of five thrown by Bees pitchers in the game. Third baseman Rio Ruiz then drove both runs home with his first triple of the season to right-center field. Another wild pitch brought in Ruiz for the go-ahead run. Catcher Roberto Pena then singled, and right fielder Dan Gulbransen grounded into a fielder's choice. Two batters later, Hernandez hammered a Lowery offering over the left-field fence for a 5-2 Quad Cities lead. The five-run frame was the River Bandits' largest since a five-run ninth inning against Cedar Rapids on June 13.

McCullers held the lead by tossing four straight scoreless innings to finish his outing. He gave up a walk in the second inning but erased it on a double play. The Bees loaded the bases in the third inning on a hit batter and two walks, but McCullers got a strikeout that started a string of seven consecutive outs through the end of the fifth inning. His six strikeouts gave him 101 this season, making he and teammate Vincent Velasquez (102) the only Midwest League pitchers with 100 this season.

The teams traded pairs of runs in the seventh inning. Pena doubled and scored on a single by Gulbransen. Second baseman Austin Elkins later doubled on scored on a play that included a wild pitch and a throwing error by Bees catcher Zach Wright. In the bottom of the inning, right-hander Juri Perez gave up a single and three walks that led to two runs. Right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched two scoreless innings for the Quad Cities bullpen. The River Bandits scored a run with the help of two ninth-inning errors, while the Bees had three hits for a ninth-inning run against right-hander Jordan Jankowski.

Wednesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, July 25. 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, July 25. The River Bandits and Bees continue their series at 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Quad Cities right-hander Mark Appel (0-0) will make his third Midwest League start against Burlington left-hander Tyler DeLoach (4-2).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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 next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

24 Jul 2013

Tee Time for Winnie's Place - Golf Outing

By Rick Martin

Churches United of the Quad City Area is hosting its Inaugural All Women's Golf Outing in support of Winnie's Place - a shelter for women with or without children who are homeless or victims of domestic violence - on Friday, September 13, 2013.

Winnie's Place has served the Quad Cities since 2006 providing 28,000+ Lodgings (overnight stays), 55,000+ meals to over 1,400 women and children who are victims of domestic violence or are homeless. Winnie's clients are provided with daily needs such as food, clothing and personal care items in addition to domestic violence counseling, budgeting, parenting, and time management training.

Tee Time for Winnie's golf tournament for Women is a Scramble Format with registration starting at 7:00 a.m. Registration includes Green Fees, Cart, and Lunch at Oakwood Country Club in Coal Valley, IL. Additional activities include a silent auction and raffle.

For more information please contact:

Anne Wachal - Executive Director or

Thea Hansen - Golf Outing Co-Chairperson

Churches Untied of the Quad Cities Area

2535 Tech Drive, Suite 205

Bettendorf, IA 52722

563/332-5002

Sheltering women at "Winnie's Place" is a mission of Churches United of the Quad City Area

###

24 Jul 2013

Early Bird Registration Ends August 1st for Labor Day "Run with Carl"

By Rick Martin

BETTENDORF, IA - The Bettendorf Rotary's Run with Carl will be held on Monday, September 2nd. The 5Mile Run and the 5K run/walk and 1/2 and 1-mile fun runs for children 12 and under start and finish at the Bettendorf Life Center (2222 Middle Rd., Bettendorf). Awards will immediately follow the races. The course remains the same as in previous years. Early bird entry fees are good through August 1st. Fees are $20 for the 5K Run/Walk or 5 Mile Run for no t-shirt and $25 for the 5K Run/Walk or 5 Mile Run with a t-shirt. The youth entry fee for the ½ and 1-mile fun run is $10.

If you register before August 1st, you will also be entered into a drawing for a free bike from Healthy Habits.

Race Day registrants are not eligible for awards so pre-registration is encouraged.

The 2012 Run with Carl attracted 1,400 runners and raised funds to support college scholarships for Bettendorf and Pleasant Valley graduates. Participants may register online only at www.runwithcarl.com.

Carl Schillig was 15 years old when he was killed in a car-pedestrian accident in 1994. Carl was active in a variety of community, school and church activities. In commemoration of his life, the Run With Carl Walk/Run attracts participants to the challenging, but scenic, course following city streets, neighborhoods and the Bettendorf Recreation Path.

For more information or to register, visit the website at www.runwithcarl.com or find us on Facebook by searching for "Run with Carl."

About the Bettendorf Rotary: The Bettendorf Rotary Club was chartered in 1957. The group meets every Wednesday at noon at Fortune Garden Restaurant (2211 South Kimberly Road, Bettendorf). They are the Title Sponsor of Run with Carl.

About the Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund, Inc.: The Carl D. Schillig Memorial Fund was established in 1995 in memory of Carl Schillig who was killed at the age of 15 in a car-pedestrian accident. The fund provides a $4000 college scholarship to graduates of Pleasant Valley High School - which Carl attended - and Bettendorf High School graduates. With Carl's philanthropy as its inspiration, the nonprofit also distributes proceeds from the run to organizations in which Carl was active, including the Bettendorf Pleasant Valley Aquatics, the Cornbelt Running Club, and Our Lady of Lourdes Church.

-end-

23 Jul 2013

SCOTT'S BIG DAY LEADS BANDITS TO WIN IN FINALE

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities left fielder drives in career-high five to lead 7-4 comeback victory

EASTLAKE, Ohio (JULY 22, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left fielder Jordan Scott drove in his team's first five runs Monday afternoon to set a new career high, and shortstop Carlos Correa added a two-run home run in the visitors' 7-4 win over the Lake County Captains at Classic Park.

After a one-hour, eight-minute delay due to potential rain before first pitch, Lake County (15-15 second half, 38-59 overall) took the lead in the bottom of the second inning on a leadoff solo home run by first baseman Joe Sever off River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain. The Captains then got a double by third baseman Erik Gonzalez, before catcher Jeremy Lucas was hit by a pitch, and designated hitter Eric Haase singled to load the bases. Two batters later, second baseman Yhoxian Medina's sacrifice fly made it 2-0.

The River Bandits (16-13, 54-44) answered in the top of the fourth inning against right-hander Dylan Baker. Catcher Roberto Pena reached on a fielder's choice that was the second out of the inning, and second baseman Brian Blasik and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez each drew walks. With the bases loaded, Scott smacked a drive that hit near the top of the wall in right-center field and cleared the bases for a three-run triple and a 3-2 Quad Cities lead.

The Captains answered against Cain in the bottom of the inning. Haase drew a one-out walk, advanced to second on a single by right fielder Jorge Martinez, went to third on a fielder's choice and scored the tying run on left fielder Todd Hankins' RBI single. Cain finished the inning but did not start the fifth after allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three batters.

River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor (7-1) pitched scoreless fifth and sixth innings, stranding a runner at third and second, respectively, to take post his team-high seventh win. Baker finished five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and six walks.

Quad Cities took the lead for good in the sixth inning, when right-hander Jack Wagoner (2-5) issued consecutive walks to Pena and Blasik. After Hernandez sacrificed both into scoring position, Scott lined a two-run single to right-center field for a 5-3 lead. Correa then hit his seventh home run to the left-center field berm with Scott aboard, extending the lead to 7-3.

After Minor, left-hander Mitchell Lambson worked two scoreless innings, and right-hander Juan Minaya allowed two hits and a run in the ninth inning to finish the 7-4 win. Monday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, July 23. 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, July 23.

The River Bandits resume their road stretch with the opener of a three-game series in Burlington at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Quad Cities right-hander Lance McCullers (4-5) will face Bees right-hander Pat Lowery (3-5).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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.

23 Jul 2013

CORREA, APPEL, MCCULLERS RANKED TOP PROSPECTS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities is only Minor League Baseball team with two of ESPN.com top 10 prospects

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JULY 22, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits players and Houston Astros first-round draft picks Carlos Correa, Mark Appel and Lance McCullers are each among the top 50 overall prospects in baseball, according to midseason rankings by Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and ESPN.com. With Correa and Appel, Quad Cities is the only team in Minor League Baseball with two of the top 10 prospects, according to ESPN.com.

 

Below are the midseason rankings for each player:

River Bandit

Position

Baseball America (July 8)

Baseball Prospectus (June 25)

ESPN.com (July 18)

Carlos Correa

SS

9

16

7

Mark Appel

RHP

-

18

9

Lance McCullers

RHP

46

Honorable Mention

Honorable Mention

 

Correa, 18, was the youngest player in both the Midwest League All-Star Game June 18 and the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game July 14, after he won the first-ever fan vote for the final roster spot on the World Team. The Santa Isabel, Puerto Rico, native was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2012 First-Year Player Draft and was the first River Bandits position player representative at the Futures Game. He was the River Bandits Player of the Month for May and June and the Western Division starting shortstop at the Midwest League All-Star Game. Through Sunday, Correa is third in the Midwest League and fourth in the Astros minor league system with a .320 batting average.

 

Appel, 22, was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2013 draft June 6 after finishing his four-year career at Stanford University with a program-record 372 strikeouts. The Houston native has made four professional starts, including the last two with Quad Cities, which has won both of his starts. When Appel joined the roster July 10, the River Bandits made history as the first Minor League Baseball team to ever have consecutive No. 1 overall draft picks on the same roster. Appel and Correa played in the same game for the first time Friday.

 

McCullers, 19, was the Western Division starting pitcher for the Midwest League All-Star Game after posting a 2.08 ERA in the first half. The Tampa, Fla., native was the Quad Cities Pitcher of the Month in May, when he had a 1.88 ERA in seven outings. Through Sunday, McCullers is 4-5 with a 3.01 ERA, which ranks eighth in the Midwest League and 10th in the Astros minor league system. The Astros' 2012 supplemental first round pick is also fifth among Astros minor leaguers and third in the Midwest League with 95 strikeouts.


Four former River Bandits also appeared among the midseason rankings:

River Bandit

Position

QC Year

Baseball America (July 8)

Baseball Prospectus (June 25)

ESPN.com (July 18)

Oscar Taveras

OF

2011

2

2

2

Jonathan Singleton

1B

2013

22

36

33

Carlos Martinez

RHP

2011

24

22

 

Kolten Wong

2B

2011

47

34

 

 

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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 next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

22 Jul 2013

CAPTAINS KEEP UP HOT HITTING OVER BANDITS, 7-3

By Marco LaNave

Bandits' Alvarez has second straight multi-hit game, Hernandez runs hitting streak to eight games

 

EASTLAKE, Ohio (JULY 21, 2013) - Every player in the Lake County Captains started lineup had a hit Sunday night, highlighted by a three-hit game from center fielder Logan Vick and a two-run home run by left fielder Todd Hankins in the home team's 7-3 victory over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Classic Park.

 

Quad Cities (15-13 second half, 53-44 overall) took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Captains right-hander Luis Morel. River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez reached on an error by Captains second baseman Yhoxian Medina, went to second base on second baseman Austin Elkins' sacrifice, and to third on shortstop Carlos Correa's single. When Correa tried stealing second, catcher Eric Haase threw him out, but that allowed Hernandez to score. Morel only allowed runners on an error and walk in the rest of his four-inning start.

 

In his first Midwest League start since May 4, River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (1-1) issued a leadoff walk and back-to-back singles to start the first inning. On the second hit, however, left fielder Jesse Wierzbicki threw to third baseman Rio Ruiz, who relayed the ball to catcher Luis Alvarez to put out Hankins on the way to home plate. Despite being knocked on his backside by Hankins, Alvarez quickly got up and threw to Correa at third base, and he fired to Elkins at second to catch baserunner Dorssys Paulino for a 7-5-2-6-4 double play.

 

Bircher scattered five hits in the first three innings, but Lake County (15-14, 38-58) broke through in the fourth inning. Designated hitter Jeremy Lucas hit a one-out double, and right fielder Jorge Martinez brought in the tying run with an RBI dobule to right field. Medina provided the go-ahead hit with a single to center field, and Hankins followed with a drive down the left-field line for a 4-1 margin.

 

After walking the first two batters of the fifth inning, Bircher was removed for right-hander Jamaine Cotton, who allowed the inherited runners to score on a double by third baseman Erik Gonzalez and a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Jeremy Lucas. Both runs were charged to Bircher, who allowed six earned runs on nine hits and three walks while striking out four batters in four-plus innings.

 

Following Morel, Captains right-hander Felix Sterling (3-4) started the fifth inning and allowed two hits in both the fifth and sixth innings. Quad Cities scored in the sixth, when Elkins hit a leadoff single, went to third base on designated hitter Bobby Borchering's double and scored on Wierzbicki's groundout. In the seventh, Captains right-hander Jimmy Stokes allowed a leadoff single by right fielder Dan Gulbransen, who scored on first baseman Jobduan Morales' groundout. Hernandez singled with Alvarez at second base, but the latter was thrown out at home. Trailing 6-3, Quad Cities brought Correa to the plate as the tying run with two outs, but he grounded into a fielder's choice. Lake County added a seventh-inning run against right-hander Gera Sanchez, and right-hander Benny Suarez finished the Captains relief effort with two scoreless innings.

 

The River Bandits play the series finale in Lake County at 10:00 a.m. Central Time Monday. River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain (4-5) will face Captains right-hander Dylan Baker (6-5).

 

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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.

22 Jul 2013

CAPTAINS' EARLY LEAD HOLDS IN WIN OVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities gets home runs by Teoscar Hernandez and Luis Alvarez in series-opening loss

EASTLAKE, Ohio (JULY 20, 2013) - The Lake County Captains greeted Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski with home runs by shortstop Dorssys Paulino and designated hitter Richard Stock in a four-run first inning, and the home team held on for a 5-3 victory at Classic Park Saturday night.

After a 1-2-3 top of the first inning by Captains left-hander Ryan Merritt (6-9), Paulino homered as the second Captains batter against Devenski (0-2) in the bottom half. With two outs, first baseman Joe Sever hit a double down the third-base line, and third baseman Erik Gonzalez followed with an RBI double to left-center field for a 2-0 lead. The next batter, designated hitter Richard Stock, drove a two-run home run to right field to make it 4-0.

The Captains (14-14 second half, 37-58 overall) added a run in the fourth inning on Sever's bases-loaded infield single. Sever led his team with three hits, while left fielder Gonzalez, Paulino and left fielder Todd Hankins each had two of the team's 11 hits. Devenski finished four innings, allowing five earned runs on nine hits and a walk, while matching a season high with seven strikeouts.

River Bandits right-hander Juri Perez started the fifth inning following Devenski and worked through four shutout innings to give the visitors a chance for a comeback. Perez worked around a walk and single in both the sixth and eighth innings but also had two strikeouts.

Merritt kept Quad Cities (15-12, 53-43) scoreless until the sixth inning, when center fielder Teoscar Hernandez lifted his team-high seventh home run of the season to right-center field. Left fielder Jordan Scott followed with a single down the left-field line, but Hankins quickly picked up the ball and threw out Scott when he tried to advance to second base.

River Bandits catcher Luis Alvarez closed the deficit to 5-2 against Merritt when he sent a drive to the left-field bleachers for his second home run in the Midwest League. Merritt finished seven innings, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out two batters.

Captains right-hander Grant Sides worked a perfect eighth inning but made the ninth interesting by issuing a leadoff walk to Scott and a one-out walk to first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki. Third baseman Rio Ruiz hit an RBI single to center field for a 5-3 deficit, before Alvarez struck out and right fielder Dan Gulbransen flied out to deep center field for the final out with the tying run at first base.

The River Bandits continue their series in Lake County with Game 2 at 6:00 p.m. Central Time Sunday. River Bandits left-hander Joe Bircher (1-0) will face Captains right-hander Luis Morel (2-1).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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.

22 Jul 2013

BULLPEN, OFFENSE BOOST BANDITS IN SERIES FINALE

By Marco LaNave

Eight Bandits combine for 11 hits, while Minor and Jankowski combine for five scoreless innings

 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (JULY 19, 2013) - In the first Minor League Baseball game featuring consecutive No. 1 overall picks on the field for the same team, the Quad Cities River Bandits bullpen followed 2013 top pick Mark Appel's four innings with five shutout frames, and 2012 top pick Carlos Correa hit a two-run home run in a 6-3 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Parkview Field Friday night.


In his second Midwest League start, Appel followed a one-out, first-inning single with consecutive strikeouts. In the second inning, he allowed a one-out single by left fielder Luis Domoromo. Two batters later, right fielder Corey Adamson drove a ball to right for a two-run home run - the first against Appel professionally - and a 2-0 TinCaps lead.

 

Quad Cities (15-11 second half, 53-42 overall) answered in the next inning against TinCaps right-hander Matthew Shepherd (4-2). Second baseman Austin Elkins drew a one-out walk, and Correa smashed a drive beyond the left-field fence for his sixth home run to tie the game, 2-2. Correa later added a double in his team-high 30th multi-hit game.

 

After Appel got three groundouts in a 1-2-3 third inning, Quad Cities took the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Right fielder Dan Gulbransen drove a leadoff double to right-center field and scored on designated hitter Bobby Borchering's RBI single through the middle for a 3-2 lead. Left fielder Jordan Scott then bounced a hit over first baseman Diego Goris that scored Borchering and put Scott on third base with an RBI triple. Scott scored on a sacrifice fly by center fielder Teoscar Hernandez for a 5-2 advantage. Shepherd was charged with five runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out three batters in 3 2/3 innings.

 

Fort Wayne (10-17, 53-43) answered with a home run in the bottom of the inning, as third baseman Gabriel Quintana extended his 15-game hitting streak with a solo shot to left field off Appel. But the right-hander struck out the next two batters to finish four innings with a 5-3 lead after allowing three earned runs on a four hits with four strikeouts.

 

Right-hander Daniel Minor (6-1) started the fifth inning for Quad Cities and only allowed three hits - consecutive two-outs singles in the fifth inning and a two-out double in the seventh - while tossing three scoreless innings and striking out one. Quad Cities added a ninth-inning run on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Rio Ruiz, while right-hander Jordan Jankowski pitched the final two scoreless innings for his third save. Quad Cities pitchers have not issued a walk in 21 consecutive innings, and eight players had hits for the offense Friday.

 

Friday's victory gave Quad Cities its first-ever series win at Parkview Field and also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, July 20. 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, July 20.

 

The River Bandits continue their road trip with a three-game visit to Lake County, with the series opener at 6:00 p.m. Central Time Saturday. River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski (0-1) will face Captains left-hander Ryan Merritt (5-9).

 

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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 next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!

 

*****

 

19 Jul 2013

TINCAPS REBOUND TO BATTER BANDITS, 8-3

By Marco LaNave

Bobby Borchering hits solo home run for Quad Cities in defeat

 

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (JULY 18, 2013) - The Fort Wayne TinCaps had 11 combined hits from eight different players and a go-ahead two-run home run in the third inning by first baseman Diego Goris on the way to an 8-3 win over the Quad Cities River Bandits at Parkview Field Thursday night.


Quad Cities (14-11 second half, 52-42 overall) lost its sixth game in the last eight but twice held a lead over the TinCaps (10-16, 53-42).


Right fielder Teoscar Hernandez led off the game against TinCaps left-hander Max Fried (4-4) with a single to center field, reached second base on a passed ball, and scored on a single by shortstop Carlos Correa. TinCaps center fielder Mallex Smith was hit by a pitch from River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez (6-4) to start the bottom half of the first inning. Smith stole second and third bases before scoring on a sacrifice fly by Goris to tie the game, 1-1.


River Bandits first baseman Bobby Borchering led off the second inning with his second home run in eight Midwest League games for a 2-1 lead. He has now homered from each side of the plate while with Quad Cities. The lead remained until a third-inning, two-out error by River Bandits third baseman Brian Blasik allowed TinCaps second baseman Maxx Tissenbaum to reach, and Goris swatted his third home run of the season to left field for a 3-2 Fort Wayne advantage.


Fort Wayne extended the lead in the fifth inning, when Tissenbaum singled, Velasquez hit Goris with a pitch, and third baseman Gabriel Quintana hit an RBI single to right-center field before designated hitter Chris Burke lofted a sacrifice fly to center. Velasquez departed with a 5-2 deficit after allowing three earned runs on five hits, no walks, and two hit batters, while striking out four in five innings. His third-inning strikeout of Smith made Velasquez the first Midwest League pitcher to post 100 strikeouts this season. He now has 102.


Following Borchering's home run, Fried only allowed one runner past second base, as two singles were erased by a Fried pickoff and a throw from left field by Luis Domoromo to cut down catcher Roberto Pena at second base. Fried allowed five hits, two runs - one earned - and one walk while striking out five in five innings.


The TinCaps added a run in the seventh inning on a Tissenbaum sacrifice fly against right-hander Gerardo Sanchez, but Correa hit an RBI double in the eighth inning to close within 6-3 against right-hander Matthew Chabot. A walk brought the tying run to the plate with one out, but left-hander Chris Nunn got Pena to fly out and struck out Borchering to end the inning. Two more runs for Fort Wayne in the eighth inning against right-hander Jamaine Cotton put away the home team's victory, which Nunn closed out for his seventh save.


Friday night's rubber match will feature Quad Cities right-hander Mark Appel (0-0) and Fort Wayne right-hander Matthew Shepherd (4-1), with first pitch scheduled for 6:05 p.m. Central Time.


UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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.

18 Jul 2013

Houston Astros Midseason Minor League Recap

By Marco LaNave

Overall Minor League Record: (282-213, .570) - 2nd out of 30 MLB organizations 

MINORS SUCCESS: Houston's minor league affiliates have posted a combined 277-209 record this season, good for 2nd among all 30 MLB organizations...all 8 of the Astros minor league affiliates have winning percentages over .500...the Double A Corpus Christi Hooks, Class A Advanced Lancaster JetHawks, Class A Short Season Tri-City ValleyCats and Rookie Level Greeneville Astros are all currently in first place...the JetHawks and Hooks already qualified for postseason play by winning their respective league's first-half titles...last year, Houston's domestic minor league clubs had the best combined winning percentage among all organizations...Houston had the lowest winning percentage in both 2010 and 2011.

'TIS THE SEASON: Most websites and publications have been rolling out their revised top prospect lists, and the Astros have fared very well thus far...Houston had more players listed than any other MLB organization on both the Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus midseason Top 50 Prospects lists...in Keith Law's (ESPN.com) top 50 prospects update that went out today, the Astros were tied with the Twins for the most prospects listed (5) and the most prospects listed in the top ten (2).

THE PIPELINE: Prospects from the Astros system have already started to make their way to Houston...RHP Jarred Cosart made his MLB debut on July 12 against the Tampa Bay Rays, defeating reigning Cy Young Award winner David Price after allowing just 2 hits over 8.0 scoreless innings...Cosart had a no-hit bid thru 6.0 innings and became the 1st pitcher in Astros history to toss 8.0+ scoreless innings in their Major League debut...RHP Jose Cisnero, RHP Paul Clemens, RHP Josh Fields,  OF Robbie Grossman, OF Marc Krauss and LHP Brett Oberholtzer have also made their MLB debuts this season with the Astros.

SPRING HAS SPRUNG: Baseball America recently came out with their midseason Minor League All-Star Team, and OF George Springer made the cut as 1 of just 9 position players named to the squad...Springer has continued his rapid ascent through the Astros minor league system and is the only player in pro baseball with 25+ homers and 25+ stolen bases this year...the former 1st round pick is looking to become the first minor leaguer to tally 30 homers and 30 steals since Oakland's Grant Desme in 2009.

THE DRAFT: The Astros had another successful draft this year, using their first three picks on college pitchers: Stanford RHP Mark Appel, UC-Irvine RHP Andrew Thurman and UNC LHP Kent Emanuel...the Astros signed 32 of their 40 total players selected in the 2013 draft, including each of their top 14 picks...Appel (2.00 ERA, 3G) and Thurman (2.08 ERA, 5G) have already gotten off to strong starts to their professional careers.

 

ALL AROUND THE WORLD: Director of International Oz Ocampo has been leading the Astros efforts around the world, and since the July 2 signing period opened the club has signed 9 total international players: C Jake Bowey (AUS), SS/OF Osvaldo Duarte (DR), SS Frankeny Fernandez (DR), SS Wander Franco (DR), RF Felix Lucas (DR), SS/C Jonathan Matute (VZ), SS Joan Mauricio (DR), CF Nestor Tejada (VZ), and C Hayden Timberlake (AUS)...5 were signed from the Dominican Republic, 2 from Venezuela and 2 from Australia...POOL TRADE: the Astros were also able to acquire IF Ronald Torreyes from the Cubs in exchange for international signing pool space...Torreyes, 20, has already reached the Double A level...he has posted a career .312 batting average in the minors with 92 walks and just 84 strikeouts in 1290 at-bats.

FUTURES PHENOMS: Along with the Mets, the Astros had more prospects participate in the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game this year than any other MLB organization...CF George Springer, 2B Delino DeShields and SS Carlos Correa each played in the game, while Corpus Christi Hooks manager and the 2012 Texas League Manager of the Year Keith Bodie served on the coaching staff for the U.S. Team...Springer went 1x3 as the U.S. Team's starting centerfielder...DeShields started the game at second base while Correa entered the game at shortstop as a late-inning defensive replacement...Correa won the first ever Futures Game Finalist fan-vote to claim the last spot on the World Team's roster...the former 1st overall pick was the youngest player at the Futures Game. 

RETOOLING: General Manager Jeff Luhnow has been retooling the Astros minor league system since taking over in December of 2011...in his 1st year with Houston, Luhnow made 9 trades and received 24 total players in return...this February, Luhnow flipped shortstop Jed Lowrie and reliever Fernando Rodriguez to Oakland in exchange for IF/OF Chris Carter, RHP Brad Peacock and C Max Stassi...Carter currently leads the Astros in homers (18) and RBI (47)...Peacock has gone 4-0 with a 1.21 ERA (5ER/37.1IP) and 30 strikeouts in his last 6 starts since returning to Triple A on 6/13...Stassi, the Astros top catching prospect, is hitting .322 (19x59) with 6 homers, 15 RBI and a 1.101 OPS in his last 15 games, ranking 2nd in the Texas League in homers over that span.

 

PATIENCE: The Astros minor league system is currently tops in the minors in walks with 1998 on the season...the next closest organization is Seattle, as their minor league affiliates have drawn 1903 total walks in 2013...the Class A Advanced Lancaster JetHawks lead all of minor league baseball with 470 walks while the Class A Quad Cities River Bandits rank 3rd with 426...the Astros organization also leads the minors with a .345 on-base percentage.

LUHNOW TOPS BA LIST: According to Baseball America, of the 750 players on Opening Day rosters this year, 572 of them (76 percent) came through the draft...those 572 players were selected by 93 different scouting directors...of those 93, the scouting director to produce the most Major Leaguers is current Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow...while serving as the Cardinals scouting director from 2005-11, Luhnow drafted 21 players that were on Major League rosters this Opening Day.

CLIMBING THE CHARTS: Heading into the season, several analysts and publications had drastically improved their rating of the Astros minor league system : ESPN's Keith Law - 4th of 30 (27th in 2012)...Baseball Prospectus - 9th of 30 (26th in 2012)...Baseball America - 9th of 30 (18th in 2012)...NOTABLE: Keith Law, Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus ranked the St. Louis Cardinals as having the top system in baseball heading into the 2013 season...Astros GM Jeff Luhnow served as the Cardinals VP of Scouting/Player Development for several years prior to joining Houston in December of 2011.

 

Level        Team                           Record (Place)

AAA        Oklahoma City RedHawks                    51-46 (3rd)

AA           Corpus Christi Hooks                          55-40 (1st)

A+           Lancaster JetHawks                       57-40 (1st)

A              Quad Cities River Bandits                     52-41 (3rd)

Level        Team                           Record (Place)

SSA         Tri-City ValleyCats                     20-10 (1st)

R              Greeneville Astros                         15-10 (1st)

R              GCL Astros                         12-10 (2nd)

R             DSL Astros                         20-16 (3rd)

 

ESPN.com Top 50 Prospects

7.       Carlos Correa                        SS

9.       Mark Appel                         RHP

29.    George Springer                  CF

33.    Jon Singleton                      1B

46.    Mike Foltynewicz              RHP

 

Baseball America Top 50 Prospects

9.       Carlos Correa                        SS

20.    George Springer                  CF

22.    Jon Singleton                      1B

31.    Mike Foltynewicz              RHP

46.    Lance McCullers               RHP

Baseball Prospectus Top 50 Prospects 

16.    Carlos Correa                        SS

18.    Mark Appel                         RHP

30.    George Springer                  CF

36.    Jon Singleton                      1B

49.          Mike Foltynewicz              RHP

 


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