Bandits Top Dragons in 13 Innings for Fifth Straight Win

One night after a walk-off walk gave Quad Cities a 10th-inning victory, the River Bandits rallied from a 4-0, sixth-inning deficit and benefitted from three errors on a single play by the Dayton Dragons in a 5-4, 13-inning victory in the opening game of a series at Fifth Third Field in Dayton, Ohio, Thursday night.

With two outs in the top of the 13th inning of a 4-4 tie, River Bandits first baseman David Medina, who entered the game at first base in the bottom of the sixth, singled to left field for his third hit in four at-bats. Designated hitter Garrett Wittels hit a short popup between home plate and third base that was misplayed by pitcher Dan Jensen (0-2). Catcher Danny Vicioso picked up the ball and tried to throw out Medina at third, but the ball went into left field, where Juan Silva picked it up and overthrew home plate, allowing Medina to score and Wittels to reach third base.

With a 5-4 lead, right-hander Ethan Cole allowed a two-out hit in the bottom of the 13th but got Brandon Dailey to ground out to third to save the fifth straight win for the River Bandits (10-4), who overcame a season-high four-run deficit.

The Dragons (6-8) built a 4-0 lead through five innings, scoring three runs in the second against River Bandits right-hander Todd McInnis. Right fielder Kyle Waldrop hit a one-out triple to right-center field that scored left fielder Juan Silva, and Waldrop scored on a single by third baseman Junior Arias. After a groundout moved Arias to second with two outs, center fielder Theo Bowe tripled to center field to bring in the third run.

Dayton added a run in the fifth on an RBI single by second baseman Ryan Wright against McInnis, who completed six innings, allowed nine hits and three earned runs, and struck out three batters.

The River Bandits were held hitless the first four innings by Dragons right-hander Stalin Gerson. Third baseman Tyler Rahmatulla had the first hit with a fifth-inning leadoff double, and Quad Cities scored its first run in the sixth, when catcher Juan Castillo and left fielder Colin Walsh hit back-to-back, two-out doubles, bringing the River Bandits within 4-1.

In the seventh, River Bandits right fielder Roberto Reyes made it 4-3 on his first home run of the season, a two-run shot to right that chased Gerson, who finished with five hits and three runs allowed in 6 1/3 innings. He walked one batter and struck out a season-high six.

In the eighth inning against Dragons right-hander Ryan Kemp, Castillo drew a walk and advanced to second on a groundout by Walsh. First baseman Jeremy Patton then picked up his first RBI of the season with a single to centerfield that tied it 4-4.

The River Bandits put a runner at third in the 10th and 11th innings, while Dayton put a runner at second in the 10th and 12th against left-hander Danny Miranda (2-0), who won for the second straight night after going three innings, allowing a hit and a walk and striking out four batters.

Quad Cities' Western Division lead remained at two games, as Kane County (8-6) defeated Fort Wayne on the first night of Midwest League interdivisional play.

The River Bandits and Dragons meet again Friday night at 6 p.m., when left-hander Kyle Hald (0-1) will make his third start of the season against Dragons right-hander Carlos Gonzalez (0-2).

UP NEXT: The River Bandits will return to Modern Woodmen Park for a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, April 26, at 7 p.m. with College Night, Pro Sports Career Day, and Thirst-Day Thursday presented by Rock 104.9, the CW, and the River Cities' Reader. There will be $2 drink specials all night as the River Bandits host the West Michigan Whitecaps. Get your tickets now to watch the River Bandits in 2012. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at (563) 3-BANDIT 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: After four years of ballpark improvements, the River Bandits and the City of Davenport last summer unveiled some of the most impressive enhancements to Modern Woodmen Park yet. A brand new, state of the art, high definition 20' x 35' video board went live on June 7, and the newly enclosed glass Sky Deck on the suite level of Modern Woodmen Park was completed last August. Those improvements, in addition to new flood protection, a new front plaza, and a new parking lot directly across the street from the ballpark, are quickly making Modern Woodmen Park one of the premier facilities in all of Minor League Baseball. More improvements are scheduled for this coming season!