Quad Cities extends winning streak to four games, wins 10th of 12 meetings with Kane County

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 22, 2013) - Jesse Wierzbicki waited until his sixth and final at-bat in the 11^th inning Friday night to extend several personal and team streaks, but he delivered a walk-off RBI single for the Quad Cities River Bandits, who completed a rally from a 5-0, seventh-inning deficit for a 6-5 win over the Kane County Cougars in front of 4,077 at Modern Woodmen Park.

The River Bandits (3-0 second half, 41-31 overall) won their fourth straight game and defeated Kane County (0-3, 30-39) for the fifth time in as many games at Modern Woodmen Park. For a second consecutive game, Quad Cities had 15 hits, with shortstop Carlos Correa and left fielder Ruben Sosa each collecting four hits to lead all players. Correa laced a one-out triple inside the first-base line with one out in the 11^th inning before Wierzbicki extended a seven-game hitting streak and 21 game on-base streak with a single to right-center field against Stephen Perakslis (1-3), who has suffered each of his losses this season against Quad Cities.

Quad Cities held Kane County to just four hits, and left-hander Colton Cain no-hit the visitors while walking one batter in the first four innings. In the fifth inning, however, he walked Cougars third baseman Jeimer Candelario, and first baseman Rock Shoulders doubled to left field for his team's first hit. With the infield in and one out, right fielder Reggie Golden hit a ball off the glove of shortstop Carlos Correa that went into shallow center field and brought in two runs for a 2-0 lead. Cain allowed two hits and two earned runs while walking two and striking out four in five innings. Kane County extended the lead with home runs in the sixth and seventh innings. Center fielder Albert Almora drove a Jamaine Cotton pitch out to left field for a two-run shot in the sixth, and Shoulders led off the seventh with his league-high 14^th homer and a 5-0 lead. The Cougars did not record a hit the rest of the game.

After failing to score in the first six innings against left-hander Michael Heesch, the River Bandits found their offense in the seventh against right-hander Armando Rivero, making his Minor League Baseball debut. Designated Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk, and second baseman Austin Elkins homered for the second straight game to make it 5-2. Sosa, center fielder Brett Phillips and right fielder Teoscar Hernandez each singled to close within 5-3, and catcher Roberto Pena's two-out infield single trimmed the gap to 5-4.

In the ninth inning, Phillips drew a leadoff walk, went to second on a sacrifice and scored the tying run when Golden bobbled Correa's one-out single to right-center field. Right-hander Juri Perez (2 2/3 innings), and right-hander Gera Sanchez (1 1/3 innings) combined to no-hit the Cougars for the final four innings, though Quad Cities pitchers matched a season high with six walks.

Saturday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Sunday, June 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 Sunday, June 23.

The River Bandits and Cougars will play the series finale at 5 p.m. Sunday, when Quad Cities looks for its third sweep of Kane County this season. River Bandits All-Star right-hander Lance McCullers (3-4) will start against Cougars right-hander Felix Pena (2-1).

UP NEXT: To celebrate "Half-way to Christmas", the River Bandits will give away three free 32" flat-screen TVs on Flat Screen Family Sunday presented by KWQC and B100. The first 1,000 fans will receive free sunglasses from Mediacom for the home stand finale. 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.

Interactive Fan Attraction to Introduce Tennis to Youth and Families across the Nation

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (June 18, 2013) - The United States Tennis Association (USTA) SmashZone Mobile Tour continues its 22-city tour run this weekend when it will be part of the Quad City Air Show in Davenport, Iowa on June 22 and 23.

SmashZone introduces youth tennis to kids and parents across the country and began as the premier fan interactive attraction at the US Open before being showcased across the country. Since its inception in 2011, SmashZone has attracted more than 2 million people to its tennis courts.

In addition to the SmashZone Mobile Tour, the Quad City Air Show is hosting the biggest World War II - theme salute air show ever. The show, which is one of the longest-running air shows in the industry, is moving back to June after being held over Labor Day weekend in 2012 to accommodate the schedule of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds.

SmashZone is a way to showcase tennis in a fun and interactive way by making stops at fairs, festivals, air shows, retail environments and city centers. At SmashZone, children have the opportunity to play tennis games in a fun, festive atmosphere that allows participants to get active playing tennis from the start.

"The SmashZone Mobile Tour is a great platform to bring tennis to the masses through an interactive experience," said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. "It provides an opportunity for kids to try tennis for the first time, allowing them to experience the fun and excitement that comes with playing the game."

SmashZone Mobile includes a 53-foot trailer, which anchors four kid-sized tennis courts for youth play. Courts will feature games such as Xerox Rally Court, racquet drills and activities, as well as a Target Challenge. The trailer itself, which is handicap accessible, will feature activities for visitors that will include a Tennis Magazine Green Screen Cover Shoot, Wii Tennis and Touch Screen Kiosks. SmashZone Mobile is a complement to the USTA's successful youth participation initiative, 10 and Under Tennis.

10 and Under Tennis is an ongoing effort to encourage young people to get active by playing tennis. The initiative uses modified equipment and courts tailored to a child's age and ability. By featuring shorter and lighter racquets, slower-bouncing balls, smaller courts and simplified scoring, children learn to play more quickly and easily while having more fun in the process.

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The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the United States and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level, from local communities to the highest level of the professional game.  A not-for-profit organization with more than 770,000 members, it invests 100 percent of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest-attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Emirates Airline US Open Series, linking nine summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA's national charitable foundation, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and helps underserved youth and people with disabilities. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com, "like" the official Facebook page, facebook.com/usta, or follow @usta on Twitter.

Jesse Wierzbicki has fourth straight multi-hit game to go to 9-for-17 with 9 RBIs on home stand

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JUNE 14, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits managed to out-hit the Burlington Bees, 7-5, Friday night, but they left 11 runners on base in a 3-1 loss to the visitors in front of 5,196 at Modern Woodmen Park.

Bees right-hander Patrick Lowery (3-3) allowed a leadoff single by River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez but only allowed two runners to reach third base in six shutout innings. He gave up five walks and four hits but struck out three batters. River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez (4-3) gave up all three Burlington runs to suffer his first loss in exactly one month.

Burlington (25-37) started quickly against Velasquez, as third baseman Sherman Johnson singled to right-center field leading off the game, and right fielder Kyle Johnson followed with a single to center. Velasquez then walked first baseman Wade Hinkle before striking out designated hitter Andrew Ray. Bees second baseman Chance Ross then bounced a ball back to Velasquez on the mound, but he threw wide of home plate, and catcher Jobduan Morales could not make the catch, as Sherman Johnson scored for a 1-0 lead.

In the fourth inning, Ross drew a leadoff walk, and left fielder Kevin Moesquit was hit by a pitch. Center fielder Chevy Clarke then singled to right field to grow the lead to 2-0. Two batters later, shortstop Wendell Soto added an RBI groundout for a 3-0 advantage. Velasquez completed five innings, allowing three hits, two walks and two earned runs while striking out six batters.

Right-hander Jamaine Cotton started the sixth inning with a 3-0 deficit and retired the first six batters he faced. He also struck out the side in the eighth inning to match a career high with six strikeouts. He allowed a leadoff single in the ninth inning by Clarke, who reached third base but did not score. Cotton tossed four shutout innings and allowed just two hits.

The Bees bullpen opened in the seventh inning with right-hander Joseph Krehbiel, who issued Hernandez a one-out walk before second baseman Austin Elkins hit a single. Designated hitter Miles Hamblin lined out before Wierzbicki hit a two-out RBI single for his second hit of the game. He has four straight multi-hit games and is 9-for-17 with 9 RBIs in the home stand.

With a 3-1 lead, right-hander Kurt Spomer worked around a two-out single in the eighth inning, and right-hander Robert Powell pitched a perfect ninth inning for his second save. The River Bandits left at least one runner on base in each inning except the fourth and ninth - for a total of 11 left on base. Quad Cities (36-30) went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

The River Bandits and Bees continue their series with a doubleheader Saturday. Game 1 begins at 6 p.m. and will feature River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor (4-1) opposing Bees left-hander Brandon Love (1-3). Quad Cities All-Star right-hander Lance McCullers (3-4) will start Game 2, with left-hander Tyler DeLoach making his Midwest League debut for Burlington. Each game is seven innings.

UP NEXT: "Team Ghost Riders" Cowboy Monkeys will be at Modern Woodmen Park for Saturday's doubleheader. It's also John Deere Night and a Fan Appreciation Saturday presented by CBS4. Gates open at 5 p.m. for the twin bill. 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.

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

Club has signed 13 of 40 selections from 2013 MLB Draft

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

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

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

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

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

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