Quad Cities and Peoria exchange lead four times in second meeting

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 13, 2013) - For the first time during the 2013 campaign, the River Bandits were beat to the scoreboard by an opponent, but they were able to secure an 8-6 victory over the Peoria Chiefs for their first home win of the season on Saturday night in front of 1,391 at Modern Woodmen Park.

The Chiefs (4-4) got on the board behind a trio of former River Bandits in the second off Quad Cities starter Jordan Jankowski. Center fielder Nick Martini, catcher Geoff Klein and right fielder Michael Swinson provided RBI singles against their former team to give Peoria the lead at 3-0.

The Bandits' bats came alive in the third to take the lead against former River Bandit left-hander Dail Villanueva. Left fielder Jordan Scott walked, shortstop Carlos Perdomo reached on an error, and center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled to extend a six-game hitting streak and load the bases. Second baseman Joe Sclafani followed with a sacrifice fly to right. First baseman Jesse Wierzbicki then wrapped a two-run, game-tying triple down the line in right to score Perdomo and Hernandez. Wierzbicki scored the go-ahead run on a fielder's choice off the bat of third baseman Rio Ruiz. Villanueva gave up two earned runs on three hits in three innings

Jankowski lasted one out into the next inning, giving the ball to right-hander Gera Sanchez, who pitched 1 2/3 shutout innings to bridge the gap to left-hander Brian Holmes (1-0), schedule to pitch in the tandem Saturday night.

Holmes had a shaky start in the sixth, with two hit batters and a two-run double by Chiefs designated hitter Ildemaro Vargas that made it 5-4. Two batters later, left fielder Breyvic Valera would slice a triple down the line in right to drive in Vargas for a 6-4 Peoria lead.

In the bottom half, the River Bandits rallied for the lead. Backstop Jobduan Morales singled, and a one-out single by Scott was misplayed by Valera to allow runners to second and third. Morales raced home uncontested on a passed ball by Klein. Shortstop Carlos Perdomo then walked to chase right-hander Jhonny Polanco (0-1). Right-hander Zach Petrick entered to face left fielder Ryan Dineen, who pushed a bunt back to the mound to tie the game. After second baseman Joe Sclafani singled, Wierzbicki struck out swinging, but Klein threw wild to first base for the put out, allowing Dineen to score the go-ahead run for a 7-6 advantage.

Perdomo, with help from the Chiefs defense, tacked on an insurance run in the eighth.  The Venezuelan singled, stole second, advanced to third when Klein overthrew second, and then scored when Martini's throw to third was wild. Holmes hardly needed the insurance, as he retired the final 10 batters of the game to finish four innings and earn the victory, which also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, April 14. 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, April 14.

The River Bandits' scoring of at least seven runs activates the "Lucky Seven Run" promotion, as American TV & Appliance at 4800 Elmore Avenue in Davenport will offer a 40% discount on all furniture Sunday, April 14. The store is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

The River Bandits and Chiefs will play the series finale Sunday at Modern Woodmen Park at 2 p.m. Vincent Velasquez (1-0) and Joe Bircher (1-0) will toe the rubber for Quad Cities against former River Bandit Tyrell Jenkins (0-0) of Peoria.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will present their first-ever Flat Screen Family Sunday promotion, when the club will be giving away three flat screen TVs to lucky fans. Fans are invited to bring their family canine to the game as the Bark in the Park promotion returns to Modern Woodmen Park, and Kids can also run the bases after the game.  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.

Quad Cities' first home game will be 7 p.m. Friday; Thursday tickets good for any 2013 home game

DAVENPORT, Iowa (APRIL 11, 2013) - Thursday night's game between the Quad Cities River Bandits and Peoria Chiefs at Modern Woodmen Park has been postponed. The game will be made up in a doubleheader May 11, and all tickets for Thursday's game may be exchanged for any other 2013 home game. The River Bandits' home opener will instead be Friday night at 7 p.m. against the Chiefs.

The Quad-City Times Opening Night Celebration and pennant giveaway for the first 1,500 fans courtesy of Mediacom will take place at Friday's game, which will include Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers postgame fireworks, also presented by WLLR-FM and WQAD-TV. One lucky fan will also win a free refrigerator courtesy of American.

Friday night's pitching matchup is yet to be announced.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will open their home schedule Friday night at 7 p.m. at Modern Woodmen Park with an Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers Fireworks Show, also presented by WLLR-FM and WQAD-TV. It will be the Quad-City Times Opening Night Celebration, and the first 1,500 fans will receive a pennant courtesy of Mediacom. One fan will also win a free refrigerator courtesy of American. 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 will make 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 scheduled to open in early June, along with two new zip lines, a carousel, a 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 this June 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!

Quad Cities falls behind for first time, drops first game after five-game winning streak opened season

BURLINGTON, Iowa (APRIL 9, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits' run of five consecutive wins to start the season came to an end Tuesday night, as the Burlington Bees used three home runs and a two-run, eighth-inning double by Michael Bolaski to break a 4-4 tie and send the Bees to a 6-4 home win at Community Field.

After holding the Bees scoreless in the sixth and seventh innings, right-hander Lance McCullers (0-1) allowed an eighth-inning leadoff single by Bees second baseman Sherman Johnson. Right fielder Kyle Johnson then put down a bunt to the third-base side of the mound, which McCullers fielded and threw wide of first, allowing Sherman Johnson to reach third base. With catcher Anthony Bemboom batting, Sherman Johnson stole second base, but McCullers fanned Bemboom for the first out of the inning. After an intentional walk to Bees first baseman Wade Hinkle, McCullers faced Bolaski, who had been hitless in three previous at-bats. Bolaski hit a line drive over the head of right fielder Terrell Joyce to bring in both Johnsons for a 6-4 lead.

McCullers left following Bolaski's double after working 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs - one earned - and walking two batters while striking out three. Left-hander Mitchell Lambson entered and escaped the jam to keep the deficit to two runs.

Right-hander Jairo Diaz pitched the top of the ninth inning and allowed a two-out infield single by River Bandits third baseman Ryan Dineen. Diaz then retired second baseman Carlos Perdomo on a one-hopper back to the mound for his second save.

The River Bandits (5-1) left 13 runners on base and were just 2-for-14 with runners in scoring position Tuesday night. The Bees (3-3) left only five runners on base and none in the first five innings against right-hander Daniel Minor, who allowed four hits but three home runs that accounted for the Bees' first four runs. Minor did not walk a batter while striking out five in five innings of work.

Quad Cities scored first for the sixth straight game, as center fielder Teoscar Hernandez hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a bunt single by shortstop Carlos Correa and scored on a ground ball by designated hitter Chase Davidson. Burlington took its first lead in the bottom of the second inning, when Hinkle hit a leadoff double, and center fielder Chevy Clarke took Minor deep to center field.

The 2-1 deficit was the first of the season for the River Bandits, but they quickly retook the lead in the top of the third inning, as Correa walked, Davidson doubled and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki tied the game with a single. Catcher Roberto Peña put down a squeeze bunt to give Quad Cities a 3-2 lead against left-hander Brandon Love, who worked 4 1/3 innings, allowed four hits and three runs.

Burlington tied it in the bottom of the third inning, as shortstop Wendell Soto homered to right field. The Bees took a 4-3 lead when designated hitter Andrew Ray homered to left field leading off the bottom of the fifth. Bees right-hander Brandon Efferson kept the lead until the seventh inning, when Wierzbicki reached on an infield single, Joyce singled, and Dineen put down a squeeze to tie it, 4-4, against right-hander Joseph Krehbiel (1-0), who earned the win with 1 2/3 innings of work.

Quad Cities will play the series finale in Burlington at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday.The River Bandits tandem of right-hander Mike Hauschild (0-0) and left-hander Colton Cain (0-0) will face a Bees tandem of left-hander Ryan Crowley (0-0) and right-hander Reid Scoggins (0-0).

UP NEXT: The 2013 home opener at Modern Woodmen Park is Thursday, April 11.Tickets for the 2013 season are now on sale! Call 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com. It's not too late lock in your season ticket plan for the 2013 season! Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today at 563-324-3000 to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The River Bandits will make 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 scheduled to open in early June, along with two new zip lines, a carousel, a 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 this June 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!

Catcher Jobduan Morales has two hits; Cameron Lamb earns win after getting save Saturday

GENEVA, Ill. (APRIL 7, 2013) - Held to one hit through nine innings and forced into extra innings for a second straight day, the Quad Cities River Bandits broke a 1-1 tie with a two-run 13th inning on the way to a 3-1 victory and four-game road sweep of the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

With one out in the top of the 13th, River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez drove a triple to the warning track in right-center field, giving Quad Cities (4-0) a runner at third base with less than two outs for the first time Sunday. Right-hander Eddie Orozco (0-1) then intentionally walked shortstop Carlos Correa. With designated hitter Chase Davidson at bat, the Cougars reliever threw a high pitch off the glove of catcher Willson Contreras to the backstop that allowed Hernandez to score the go-ahead run. Correa advanced to second on the pitch, reached third on Davidson's groundout, and scored when first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki singled to center field.

Right-hander Cameron Lamb (1-0) walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the 13th, but he induced two flyouts to center field and a popup to shortstop to end the game. After saving Saturday's 11-inning win, Lamb entered with two outs and runners at first and second bases in the bottom of the 12th. He retired right fielder Bijan Rademacher on a flyout to left field, ending the Cougars' best extra-inning threat.

Cougars left-hander Michael Heesch retired the first 11 River Bandits batters and did not allow a hit until two outs in the fifth inning. River Bandits catcher Jobduan Morales broke up the no-hitter and shutout with a double down the right-field line that scored left fielder Terrell Joyce, who had drawn a one-out walk.

Kane County (0-4) did not score in the first five innings against left-hander Brian Holmes, who struck out one batter and allowed just two hits. Right-hander Jordan Jankowski started the sixth inning and gave up the tying run in the seventh. Cougars first baseman Dan Vogelbach and left fielder Rock Shoulders each singled, and catcher Willson Contreras hit a sacrifice fly to score Vogelbach.

Jankowski worked 3 2/3 innings before a two-out, ninth-inning walk to Shoulders that ended his outing. Right-hander John Neely entered and allowed an infield single to Contreras before retiring the next eight hitters. Neely pitched three innings in relief and struck out three batters. He gave way to Lamb after walking two batters in the 12th inning.

The first-place River Bandits will open a three-game series at Burlington Monday night at 6:30 p.m. Left-hander Joe Bircher (0-0) and right-hander Vincent Velasquez (1-0) are scheduled to face right-hander Cam Bedrosian for the Los Angeles Angels Class-A affiliate.

Already winners of their first series of the season, the River Bandits will attempt to sweep the Cougars at 1 p.m. Sunday, when left-hander Brian Holmes and right-hander Jordan Jankowski are scheduled to pitch against Kane County left-hander Michael Heesch.

Sunday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, April 9. 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, April 9.