15 May 2013

TIMBER RATTLERS COME BACK TO BITE BANDITS, 9-7

By Marco LaNave

Four-run seventh inning lifts Wisconsin past Quad Cities in series opener

GRAND CHUTE, Wis. (MAY 14, 2013) - The Quad Cities River Bandits batted around in an inning for the second time in as many games Tuesday, but Wisconsin Timber Rattlers left fielder Victor Roache hit a go-ahead, two-run home run to cap a four-run seventh inning and give the home team a 9-7 win at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Three River Bandits had multi-hit games, and right-hander Jamaine Cotton was in line for a victory in his first Midwest League start, as the visitors built a 7-4 lead by the fourth inning. Right-hander Vincent Velasquez took over with the same lead to start the sixth inning and worked around a walk and single for a scoreless inning to start his outing.

In the bottom of the seventh inning, third baseman Mike Garza drove a ball to the left-field wall that Terrell Joyce relayed to second baseman Austin Elkins for the first out. With the bases empty, shortstop Orlando Arcia singled to left-center field, and Velasquez walked designated hitter Tyrone Taylor. A wild pitch advanced the runners to second and third bases, and right fielder Michael Reed grounded an infield single up the middle to bring in the first run. Center fielder Mitch Haniger closed the lead to 7-6 with a sacrifice fly to center field, and Roache came to bat with two outs and a runner at first base. After Velasquez delivered a strike, Roache launched the next pitch over the left-field wall for an 8-7 lead - his second go-ahead, two-run home run against Quad Cities this season. Roache homered in his first professional at bat against the River Bandits on April 21.

Wisconsin (18-17) added a run in the eighth inning against right-hander Richard Rodriguez, who went 1 1/3 innings in his Midwest League debut. Timber Rattlers right-hander Tyler Wagner (4-1) struck out five batters and faced one over the minimum in the final four innings, with the only hit a seventh-inning double by designated hitter Brian Blasik, who led Quad Cities with three hits. Shortstop Carlos Correa was 2-for-5 and scored a game-high three runs, and first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs before he was ejected following his words to home plate umpire Evan Barger after being called out on strikes in the ninth inning.

Quad Cities (21-16) took a 1-0, first-inning lead when Correa scored on a throwing error by Arcia. Wisconsin answered with four runs in the first inning against Cotton, as Haniger hit a two-run home run, and catcher Parker Berberet grounded a two-run double down the right-field line for a 4-1 lead. The River Bandits rallied for five runs - including four with two outs - on four hits in the second inning, with Joyce hitting a go-ahead two-run double. Wierzbicki extended the lead to 7-4 with an RBI double in the fourth . Cotton finished five innings and faced the minimum over his final 4 1/3 innings, as catcher Roberto Pena threw out Reed trying to steal in the second, and first baseman Adam Giacalone hit into an inning-ending double play in the third. Cotton set down the final seven batters he faced.

The River Bandits and Timber Rattlers continue their series at 6:35 p.m. Wednesday, when Quad Cities right-handers Lance McCullers (0-3) and Daniel Minor (2-1) face Wisconsin right-handers Leonard Lorenzo (1-2) and Damien Magnifico (4-0).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin their next home stand Friday, May 17, with Petrolpalooza Night - when berm tickets are the price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline at BP, and bleacher tickets are 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.

13 May 2013

U.S. Coast Guard releases 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics Report

By U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Public Affairs
Report shows lowest number of fatalities on record, overall drop in accidents and injuries

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Coast Guard released its 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics Monday, revealing that boating fatalities that year totaled 651, the lowest number of boating fatalities on record.

From 2011 to 2012, deaths in boating-related accidents decreased from 758 to 651, a 14.1 percent decrease; injuries decreased from 3,081 to 3,000, a 2.6 percent reduction; and the total reported recreational boating accidents decreased from 4,588 to 4,515, a 1.6 percent decrease.

The fatality rate for 2012 of 5.4 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels reflected a 12.9 percent decrease from the previous year's rate of 6.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. Property damage totaled approximately $38 million.

"We're very pleased that casualties are lower, and thank our partners for their hard work over the past year," said Capt. Paul Thomas, director of Inspections and Compliance at U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters. "We will continue to stress the importance of life jacket wear, boating education courses and sober boating."

The report states alcohol use was the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; it was listed as the leading factor in 1;7 percent of the deaths. Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, machinery failure and excessive speed ranked as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.

Almost 71 percent of all fatal boating accident victims drowned, with 84 percent of those victims not reported as wearing a life jacket. Approximately 14 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received boating safety instruction. The most common types of vessels involved in reported accidents were open motorboats, personal watercraft and cabin motorboats.

The Coast Guard reminds all boaters to boat responsibly while on the water: wear a life jacket, take a boating safety course, get a free vessel safety check and avoid alcohol consumption.

To view the 2012 Recreational Boating Statistics, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_statistics.aspx.

For more information on boating responsibly, go to http://www.uscgboating.org/.

###

13 May 2013

CHIEFS MIDDLE INFIELD TEAMS UP TO TIP BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Breyvic Valera and Alex Mejia combine to go 6-for-10 with three triples and all Chiefs runs in 4-2 win

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 12, 2013) - The Peoria Chiefs broke a 2-2 tie with the Quad Cities River Bandits in the seventh inning with shortstop Alex Mejia's second RBI triple of the game, and Mejia and second baseman Breyvic Valera combined for six hits and all four Peoria runs in a 4-2 Sunday win in front of 4,231 at Modern Woodmen Park.

 

Valera, the Chiefs leadoff batter, and Mejia, the No. 2 hitter, helped Peoria to a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning against right-hander Mike Hauschild. The pair hit consecutive singles, and with two outs and runner at first and third base, River Bandits first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki stopped and then dropped a ground ball by left fielder Jordan Walton, which brought in Valera for the first run.

 

The River Bandits (20-15) scored their only runs in the fourth inning against left-hander Kyle Helisek (3-1). Quad Cities third baseman Rio Ruiz hit a two-run home run to left field that also brought home left fielder Terrell Joyce. The homer was the second this season for Ruiz, who hit his first exactly four weeks earlier against Peoria at Modern Woodmen Park. Helisek held Quad Cities to three hits and three walks while striking out five batters in six innings.

 

Valera and Mejia quickly erased the River Bandits' 2-1 lead in the next half inning, as they each tripled to left-center field. But Hauschild stranded Mejia at third base by fanning designated hitter Jacob Wilson and - following a walk to Walton - inducing a ground-ball double play by first baseman Patrick Wisdom to keep the score tied, 2-2.

 

Left-hander Colton Cain (1-4) started the sixth inning for Quad Cities and worked a perfect frame before Peoria (17-16) took the lead in the seventh inning. Valera singled to right-center field, and Mejia followed with a drive to right-center between right fielder Ariel Ovando and center fielder Jordan Scott, who collided on the play, and the loose ball allowed Valera to score the go-ahead run and Mejia to reach third for a triple. Wilson followed with sacrifice fly to left field for a 4-2 Peoria lead. Cain held the Chiefs to an eighth inning walk the rest of the way but took the loss, despite going four innings as part of the starting tandem.

 

Chiefs right-hander Joe Donofrio faced the minimum in the seventh and eighth innings by getting a ground-ball double play in the seventh. Right-hander Zach Petrick came in for the ninth and allowed a leadoff single by shortstop Carlos Correa and a one-out walk to Joyce. With runners at first and second and the tying run on base, Ruiz struck out looking against Petrick, and designated hitter Brian Blasik grounded into an appropriate fielder's choice - with Mejia flipping to Valera for the final out - to give Petrick his fifth save.

 

The four-game, three-day series between Quad Cities and Peoria concludes at 11 a.m. Monday, as Chiefs right-hander Joe Lucas (0-2) faces the starting tandem of right-hander Jordan Jankowski (1-0) and left-hander Brian Holmes (3-2). Houston Astros right-hander Josh Fields, who made the first rehab appearance by a major league player for Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park on Friday, is also scheduled to pitch two innings Monday.

 

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will recognize Book Buddies again at Monday's game, which is also 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.

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!

*****

13 May 2013

KERNELS SWEEP DOUBLEHEADER OVER BANDITS

By Marco LaNave

Astros rehabbing pitcher Josh Fields tosses two scoreless innings in eventual 11-inning Game 1 loss

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 10, 2013) - Houston Astros right-hander Josh Fields tossed two shutout innings in the first major league rehab assignment for Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park since 2006, starting a stretch of 10 scoreless innings between the River Bandits and Cedar Rapids Kernels to start their doubleheader Friday, but the visitors took a 2-0, 11-inning win in Game 1 and a 5-1 win in Game 2 in front of 2,003 fans.

 

Fields struck out three batters in his first-ever professional start, allowing a lone two-out infield single in the first inning. Following Fields, right-hander Jamaine Cotton struck out five batters in four scoreless innings for an impressive Midwest League debut.

 

Meanwhile, Kernels right-hander Hudson Boyd allowed just two hits in six shutout innings. Each team loaded the bases and failed to score late in Game 1. The Kernels had the bases loaded with none out in the seventh, and Quad Cities filled the bases with one out in the 10th inning.

 

In the first of two scheduled seven-inning games, the 10 scoreless innings marked the longest such tie in a game for Quad Cities since its 1-0, 11-inning walk-off home win against Cedar Rapids on Aug. 26, 2007.

 

In the top of the 11th inning, Kernels first baseman Dalton Hicks drove in the game's first run with a RBI double to deep left field to score shortstop Jorge Polanco from first after his one-out single. Right fielder Adam Brett Walker followed with a double down the left field to bring in Hicks for the Kernels' second run against right-hander Cameron Lamb (1-2). Right-hander Tim Atherton (2-1) kept Quad Cities scoreless for the final 1 2/3 innings for the victory.

 

In Game 2, the Kernels rode their momentum to a four-run first inning against Quad Cities right-hander Vincent Velasquez (3-1). Hicks, third baseman Travis Harrison and catcher Tyler Grimes each had RBI-doubles, while Polanco drove in the game's first run with a single.

 

Cedar Rapids added another run in the third on a single off the bat of Harrison, which drove in Walker from third base. In the seventh inning, Quad Cities left fielder Jordan Scott knocked a sacrifice fly to left field to score catcher Roberto Pena, who walked earlier in the frame, for the Bandits' only run of the doubleheader.

 

Both starting pitchers in Game 2 set career highs with nine strikeouts each. Velasquez fanned nine in 4 2/3 innings, while Kernels left-hander Mason Melotakis (3-1) struck out as many in 5 1/3 innings. The two teams struck out 25 times in Game 1 and 21 times in Game 2.

 

After dropping their first home series of the season, the River Bandits open a four-game, three-day series with the Peoria Chiefs with a doubleheader at 6 p.m. Saturday. Quad Cities will play its first consecutive doubleheaders on consecutive days in seven years. Quad Cities and Lansing split consecutive doubleheaders on May 1-2, 2006, with Quad Cities winning each Game 1 as hosts and losing Game 2. River Bandits right-hander Daniel Minor (2-0) is scheduled to face Chiefs right-hander Tyrell Jenkins (1-2) in Saturday's Game 1.

UP NEXT: Saturday's doubleheader is AUSA Military Appreciation Night, with postgame fireworks on a Fan Appreciation Saturday presented by CBS4. 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!

*****

10 May 2013

Explore the World of Bike Touring at Rock Island Library on May 13

By Lisa Lockheart

Rock Island, IL: May is bike month, so it's only fitting that Rock Island author and bicycling advocate Chuck Oestreich will be at the Rock Island Library on Monday to informally discuss his book, "Bicycle Moon," and discuss the ins and outs of touring on two wheels.

His informal discussion, Bike Touring and Book Writing, will be presented at 6:30 pm, on Monday, May 13 at the Rock Island Main Library, 401 19th Street.  Writing a novel has been one of Chuck Oestreich's  lifelong dreams, and he'll talk a little bit about the story, his experiences in writing it, along with some practical tips he's learned over the years about bicycle touring.  Participants are urged to add their own bike touring experiences and tips.

Though the novel's hero spends much of the book on a bike,  bicycling is only part of the story in Bicycle Moon. What's more central to the book is a man drifting through life without much happiness or ambition. But when he accidentally takes off across mid-America on a bike, he has experiences which are singular, to say the least. Romance, suspense, interesting characters, and a whirlwind climax in a small Iowa town all add to the story.

This is not a book signing. No books will be for sale. If you do have a copy, the author will sign it. The author is a long-time Rock Island resident and teacher. He taught English at Rock Island High School for more than 30 years, currently writes a bicycling column for the Rock Island Argus/Moline Dispatch, and is involved in state-wide and local bike activism. He has bike toured cross-country in America and in ten foreign countries.                    

For more news about Rock Island Public Library events, visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, call 309-732-7323 (READ) or follow the Rock Island Library on Facebook and Twitter. A monthly calendar of library events is available online and at Rock Island Library locations.

(end)

10 May 2013

RIVER BANDITS-KERNELS POSTPONED THURSDAY

By Marco LaNave

Teams will finish series with doubleheader Friday at 5 p.m.; gates will open at 4 p.m.

 

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 9, 2013) - Thursday night's game between the Quad Cities River Bandits and Cedar Rapids Kernels at Modern Woodmen Park has been postponed. The game will be made up in a doubleheader beginning at 5 p.m. Friday. Gates will open on Friday at 4 p.m., and all tickets for Thursday's game may be exchanged for any other 2013 home game.

Quad Cities (19-11) and Cedar Rapids (21-9) have yet to announced pitching matchups for the doubleheader, although the first major league rehab for the Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park in seven seasons is scheduled to be a two-inning outing by Astros right-hander Josh Fields on Friday night against the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

 

UP NEXT: Friday will feature a Fireworks show presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WLLR, and WQAD, and it's Home and Garden Night presented by Total Turf & Landscape, as the first 100 fans will receive a Garden Mat from Total Turf & Landscape. da voucher. It is also Blue Grass Community Night. 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!

*****

10 May 2013

ASTROS SEND JOSH FIELDS TO PITCH REHAB IN QUAD CITIES

By Marco LaNave

Right-hander will be first player to rehab with Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park since 2006

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 9, 2013) - Houston Astros right-hander Josh Fields is scheduled to make a rehab appearance at Modern Woodmen Park Friday at 7 p.m. against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Fields is set to become the first major leaguer to have a rehab assignment with Quad Cities at Modern Woodmen Park since 2006.

Fields, 27, made his major league debut April 2 against the Texas Rangers. He was the first overall pick by Houston from Boston in the Major League Rule 5 draft in December. This season he pitched two consecutive scoreless relief outings of 1/3 inning each before being placed on the disabled list with a right forearm strain April 8, with the move retroactive to April 4. Fields has not pitched since April 3 against Texas and is scheduled to pitch two innings in Friday's game against the Kernels.

A native of Athens, Ga., Fields was originally selected by the Seattle Mariners out of the University of Georgia in the first round (20th overall) of the June 2008 draft. He was acquired by the Boston Red Sox with left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard in a three-team deal that included the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 31, 2011. He finished the 2012 season with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox before being selected by Houston in the Rule 5 draft in December. His minor league totals in the Mariners and Astros systems include 132 games - all relief appearances - an 11-8 record, 3.57 ERA and 23 saves in 176 2/3 innings.

The last major leaguer to have a rehab assignment with the River Bandits was former St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Brian Tallet, who pitched at Peoria on May 17, 2011. The last major leaguer to rehab for the Quad Cities franchise in Davenport was former St. Louis Cardinals left-hander Mark Mulder on Aug. 6, 2006, against the Clinton LumberKings.

UP NEXT: Friday night will feature a Fireworks show presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WLLR, and WQAD, and it's Home and Garden Night presented by Total Turf & Landscape, as the first 100 fans will receive a Garden Mat from Total Turf & Landscape. 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.

09 May 2013

GAHC welcomes soccer team to Quad Cities

By GAHC
Dear Members and Friends,

 

Upcoming in May GAHC will be welcoming a soccer team from Germany, Blau Weiss Freiburg for a museum tour.  They will be playing the QC Eagles during their stay and then traveling on to Madison, WI for additional competition.  Dates of their local visit are

 

May 19 - May 23 (am departure)

 

If your family would be willing to house one or more team members as a good will gesture, please contact Jeff Warner, General Manager of the QC Eagles at jeff.varner@quadcityeaglesfc.com Please do not contact GAHC.

 

Also, if you can make arrangements with your company or employer to host a meal for this team here at GAHC after their museum tour,  Mr. Varner would love to hear from you.  Contact him at the above address.
09 May 2013

BANDITS MAKE GOOD ON GUARANTEED WIN OVER KERNELS

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities wins series opener in matchup of top two Western Division clubs

DAVENPORT, Iowa (MAY 8, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits second baseman Brian Blasik went 3-for-4, and left-hander Brian Holmes struck out eight to seal the deal on the River Bandits' Guaranteed Win Night with a 4-2 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels in front of 1,611 fans at Modern Woodmen Park Wednesday night.

In the first inning, Blasik lined a double down the left-field line with one out to start the River Bandits offense. One batter later Austin "Catfish" Elkins, making his first start at shortstop this season, blooped a single to left to drive in Blasik and give Quad Cities a 1-0 lead.

After Cedar Rapids (21-9) had two first-inning singles, Holmes kept the Kernels hitless for 15 batters before allowing a two-out triple to Candido Pimentel in the fifth inning. Byron Buxton worked a walk against Holmes to put runners on the corners, and Quad Cities manager Omar Lopez went to his bullpen to call upon right-hander Michael Dimock. The Greensboro, N.C., native got Niko Goodrum to fly out to center to end the inning.

In the bottom of the fifth, Teoscar Hernandez belted a solo home run (2) into the back of the left field berm, to extend the lead to 2-0. Kernels first baseman Dalton Hicks returned the deficit to one in the sixth against right-hander Jordan Jankowski by hitting a solo blast to right that exited the stadium over the Built Ford Tough Deck for the Kernels' first run.

The River Bandits (19-11) added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to increase the lead. Jesse Wierzbicki led off the sixth frame with a walk. Ryan Dineen slapped a grounder back to the pitcher Brett Lee, who misfired on a fielder's choice attempt on Wierzbicki at second base. The error allowed Dineen and Wierzbicki to reach first and third base respectively. Wierzbicki was able to score on a double play off the bat of Roberto Peña. In the seventh, Jordan Scott walked and stole second. A bloop single off the bat of Blasik caused Scott to lie on the brakes while rounding third. A throwing error from third baseman Tyler Harrison - trying to catch Scott at third - trailed through shortstop Jorge Polanco into foul territory, allowing Scott to scamper home.

Cedar Rapids battled back in the ninth, getting a run on right-hander John Neely, but he stranded runners on second and third by striking out Buxton and retiring Goodrum on a groundout to shortstop for his sixth save. Jankowski (1-0) allowed one run and struck out three in two and one-third innings. Holmes struck out eight Cedar Rapids hitters in four and two-thirds innings as the first Bandits starter. River Bandits left-hander Mitchell Lambson delivered a perfect two-thirds of an inning of relief in the eighth and was credited with his third hold of the year. Lee (2-2) gave up three runs - two earned - on four hits in six innings and suffered the loss.

Wednesday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, May 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 Thursday, May 9.

 

Quad Cities closed within two games of the first-place Kernels, who will visit Modern Woodmen Park at 7 p.m. Thursday. Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez (3-0) is scheduled to deliver the first pitch against right-hander Hudson Boyd (1-1) and the Kernels at 7 p.m.

 

UP NEXT: Thursday is the River Bandits' Nueve de Mayo party, which features $1.00 off margaritas and select domestic beers such as Corona and Dos Equis. There will also be $2.00 drink specials for Thirst-day Thursday presented by River Cities' Reader, The Quad Cities' CW and Rock 104-9. 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.
07 May 2013

CAIN, BACKED BY BATS, HELPS BANDITS TAKE FINALE

By Marco LaNave

Quad Cities takes rubber match over West Michigan to finish 3-3 Eastern Division road trip

 

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. (MAY 6, 2013) - Quad Cities River Bandits left-hander Colton Cain delivered his best outing of the season, tossing five shutout innings, and four River Bandits had multi-hit games to help the visitors take the deciding game of a series over the West Michigan Whitecaps with an 8-3 road win at Fifth Third Ballpark Monday night.

 

For a second consecutive day, the River Bandits first starter pitched five shutout innings. Cain (1-3) held the Whitecaps to three hits, and West Michigan (13-16) only advanced one runner to third base - right fielder Jake Stewart in the second inning - in the first five frames. It was the longest outing for Cain since his first start on April 6, and his first without allowing a run since April 12.

 

Quad Cities (18-11) never trailed in the game once it scored two runs in the second inning against right-hander Charlie Gillies (0-1). First baseman Jesse Wierzbicki grounded a leadoff double down the left-field line and scored when Gillies threw Ryan Dineen's bunt past first base, allowing Dineen to reach second and later score on an RBI single by left fielder Jordan Scott to make it 2-0.

 

In his Midwest League debut, Gillies finished 2 2/3 innings, allowing three hits and two runs - one earned - while walking one and striking out four River Bandits. Right-hander Edgar De La Rosa came on in relief in the third inning and shut out Quad Cities through the fifth inning. In the sixth, however, second baseman Austin Elkins hit a leadoff double and scored on Dineen's sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.

 

The third run proved critical in the bottom of the sixth, as right-hander Mike Hauschild allowed consecutive singles to designated hitter Devon Travis - whose hit extended a league-best 16-game hitting streak - and first baseman Jeff Holm. A groundout by third baseman Mario Martinez and a two-out single by second baseman Jared Reaves closed the Whitecaps within 3-2. After Reaves stole second base, Hauschild struck out catcher Adolfo Reina to end the threat. West Michigan came closest to tying the game in the seventh inning, as two hits and a one-out walk loaded the bases against Hauschild. But after a mound visit from pitching coach Dave Borkowski, Hauschild got Holm to ground to Elkins, who began an inning-ending double play.

 

Quad Cities pulled away by batting around in the eighth inning. De La Rosa started the inning by walking shortstop Joe Sclafani and Elkins. After a fielder's choice, Dineen put down his second bunt single to make it 4-2. Catcher Roberto Peña, who earlier extended his team-best hitting streak to 12 games, singled to left field for a 5-2 lead to chase De La Rosa. Left-hander Josh Turley then gave up an RBI groundout by right fielder Ariel Ovando and later a two-run triple by Scott for an 8-2 margin.

 

River Bandits right-hander Gera Sanchez pitched the final two innings and allowed a leadoff triple and run in the ninth for the 8-3 final.

 

The victories Sunday and Monday mean The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 7. 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 7. Quad Cities will begin a three-game series against first-place Cedar Rapids at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Modern Woodmen Park.

 

UP NEXT: Wednesday, May 8, marks the start of a six-game home stand for the River Bandits, as Guaranteed Win Night and a U.S. Bank Pay Your Bill Wednesday also presented by Mix 96 kick off a series between the top two teams in the Midwest League Western Division. 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.

Pages

Subscribe & Listen to Reader Podcasts

On Stands Now

 

Tagged Content

    

Two Ways to Subscribe

1. Subscribe to free weekly e-mail content updates.

You'll get both the current official narrative challenge and What's Happenin' in the Quad Cities.
(Did you know we publish a new Real Astrology and RCR Crossword every week?) 

Subscribe!

* indicates required

2. Get 12 monthly issues mailed first class for $48

Get 12 issues mailed monthly for $48 per year.

Get the printed Reader edition mailed to you (or anyone you want) first-class for 12 months for $48.
$24 goes to postage and handling, $24 goes to keeping the doors open!

Click this link to Subscribe now.