River Bandits take rubber match against Wisconsin, 7-5
The attendance was the largest at Modern Woodmen Park since the River Bandits drew 7,538 on July 3, 2009, against the Burlington Bees. Tuesday's crowd was the second largest at home for the Quad Cities franchise since it became an affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals organization in 2005.
Piscotty doubled in his first at-bat and drew walk in the fourth inning before left fielder Anthony Garcia hit a two-run home run to left-center field that gave the River Bandits a 2-1 lead and extended Garcia's hitting streak to a team season-high 12 games. It was the 10th home run for Garcia, who has hit eight since May 30 - a span of 27 games.
The River Bandits (8-4 second half, 43-38 overall) scored four times in the bottom of the fifth inning to extend their lead to 6-1 against Wisconsin starter Chad Pierce (2-3). With one out, second baseman Neal Pritchard and catcher Casey Rasmus hit back-to-back singles. Shortstop Matt Williams then hit an RBI double to left field. After a pitch hit center fielder Nick Martini, Piscotty hit his second double, scoring both runners. An RBI groundout by first baseman David Medina capped the scoring in the frame.
Wisconsin (6-6 second half, 50-31 overall) answered with four runs in the top of the sixth off right-handed reliever Robert Stock (5-0). Back-to-back walks to Timber Rattlers third baseman Brandon Macias and center fielder Mitch Haniger put two on with no outs, and an RBI single by left fielder Ben McMahan scored Macias, cutting the Quad Cities lead to 6-2. The next batter, first baseman Nick Ramirez, hit a three-run home run to right-center field to pull the Timber Rattlers within 6-5. Stock was charged with four earned runs on five hits with two walks and a strikeout in 1 2/3 innings.
River Bandits left-hander Danny Miranda got the final out of the sixth and allowed two hits in 1 2/3 scoreless innings before leaving with one out in the eighth. Right-hander Ricky Martinez ended the eighth by inducing a ground-ball double play with his only pitch.
Quad Cities right-handed starter Tyrell Jenkins allowed a first-inning run on an RBI single by Haniger. Jenkins pitched four innings, allowed just one run on four hits and walked one while striking out five. Quad Cities added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a groundout by Rasmus that followed an error by Wisconsin shortstop Yadiel Rivera.
Quad Cities begins a three-game series at Kane County on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. Right-hander Sam Gaviglio (4-5) is scheduled to start for the River Bandits, and right-hander Kyle Smith (0-0) will start for the Cougars.
UP NEXT: A bobblehead of three-time John Deere Classic Champion Steve Stricker will be given away to the first 2,000 fans to the River Bandits game Saturday, July 7, courtesy of Mississippi Valley Regional Blood Center and CBS4. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. with first pitch at 7 p.m., and there will be a pregame concert presented by 101.3 KISS-FM. The River Bandits continue the home stand with a U.S. Bank Family Sunday, July 8, and Golf Night and Buck Night Monday, July 9. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-322-6348 (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.