River Bandits dodge rain, LumberKings for win
CLINTON, Iowa - Quad Cities River Bandits right fielder Terrell Joyce hit a solo home run to break a 2-2 tie with one out in the fifth inning, and the visitors waited out a mid-game rain delay and Clinton LumberKings pitching for a 5-2, rain-spattered win at Ashford University Field Sunday afternoon.
Following a one-hour, 19-minute delay before the top of the fourth inning, Quad Cities trailed 2-1 when coming to bat against new right-hander David Holman (0-3). Designated hitter Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk, stole second base and went to third on a ground ball by catcher Roberto Pena. Second baseman Austin Elkins then lined a single into left field to tie the game, 2-2. Elkins and left fielder Jordan Scott, the No. 8 and No. 9 hitters in the River Bandits lineup, combined to go 5-for-7 while drawing two walks and a hit by pitch in 10 plate appearances.
The immediate run following the delay gave a no-decision to Quad Cities left-hander Brian Holmes, who pitched three innings before the delay. Holmes struck out the first five batters of the game but allowed the LumberKings to score twice in the third inning for a 2-1 lead.
Right-hander Gera Sanchez (2-0) started the bottom of the fourth inning following the delay, and he combined with right-hander Jordan Jankowski to retire 17 of 19 batters in the final six innings. LumberKings shortstop Ketel Marte singled once against each right-hander for Clinton's only baserunners following the delay. Sanchez stranded Marte at third base to end the fifth inning, and Pena threw out Marte on a seventh-inning steal attempt.
Joyce's fifth-inning, opposite-field blast to right field against Holman gave Quad Cities (26-23) the lead for good, but the River Bandits added two insurance runs while rain came down steadily in the ninth inning. Left-hander Blake Holovach issued the last two of the LumberKings' 11 walks - matching the season high set in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader - and allowed the runs to score on an error by second baseman Brock Hebert and a wild pitch.
With a 5-2 lead, Jankowski kept the LumberKings (25-24) from putting a ball in play on the wet diamond by striking out the final four batters of the game. He finished four shutout innings for his second save and has not walked a batter in 21 consecutive innings.
The victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 28. 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 28.
Quad Cities and Clinton will play the Memorial Day series finale of a four-game, three-day series at 2 p.m. Monday. River Bandits right-handers Vincent Velasquez (3-2) and Jamaine Cotton (0-1) are scheduled face LumberKings right-hander Matt Anderson (2-4).
UP NEXT: All tickets are buy-one-get-one free on Tuesday, which is Outdoors Night for the River Bandits' 7 p.m. game against the Kane County Cougars. Kids Eat Free, and fans can redeem an empty can or bottle of Mountain Dew for a free 16-ounce soda voucher on a Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, WOC and Q106.5. 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 ownership is making 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 planned for the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom 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 on June 6 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!