Velasquez dominates Bees in Bandits' 1-0 win
BURLINGTON, Iowa - Quad Cities River Bandits right-hander Vincent Velasquez retired the first 12 Burlington Bees on the way to a career-high seven shutout innings, and an eighth-inning infield single by second baseman Austin Elkins brought in the only run of a 1-0 Friday night victory at Community Field.
Velasquez (7-4) kept the Bees without a baserunner until designated hitter Michael Bolaski led off the fifth inning with a ground ball to third baseman Rio Ruiz, whose throw was dropped at first base by Bobby Borchering for an error. Two batters later, left fielder Exicardo Cayones had the Bees first hit with a single through the right side of the infield. Velasquez then induced an inning-ending double play. He went on to allow a sixth-inning single by Bees third baseman Sherman Johnson but finished with seven strikeouts, 11 groundouts and just one fly ball to the outfield.
Bees left-hander Ryan Crowley (8-5) matched Velasquez by shutting out the River Bandits (18-14 second half, 56-45 overall) for the first seven innings. In one stretch, he retired 11 consecutive batters - including five on strikeouts - from the second to sixth innings. He allowed lone singles in the first, second and sixth innings, and a pair of hits in the seventh, although one by Ruiz struck Borchering running from first base.
Crowley also struck out the first two batters in the eighth inning for his ninth and 10th of the game. With two outs, River Bandits center fielder Teoscar Hernandez singled to right field and moved to second base on a wild pitch. Elkins then bounced a grounder behind second base and beat the throw to first base by second baseman Garrett Cannizaro, while Hernandez never stopped running around third base and scored the first run of the game. It was the final pitch for Crowley, who tossed 7 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits without a walk. Right-hander Kurt Spomer took over for the final out of the eighth inning. Spomer, left-hander Christopher O'Grady and right-hander Joseph Krehbiel each recorded an out in the ninth inning.
Right-hander Jordan Jankowski pitched a perfect eighth inning with two strikeouts for the River Bandits, but the Bees (13-20, 39-59) threatened to tie the game in the ninth inning against right-hander Juan Minaya. The only two walks of the game by any pitcher put runners at first and second base with one out. But Minaya fanned first baseman Wade Hinkle and - after a wild pitch moved the tying run to third base - Bolaski to put away the victory for his fourth save.
Friday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Saturday, July 27. 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 Saturday, July 27. The River Bandits, in third place in the Midwest League Western Division, open a three-game series against the second-place Beloit Snappers at 7:00 p.m. Saturday in Beloit. River Bandits right-hander Chris Devenski (0-2) will oppose Snappers right-hander Andres Avila (4-1).
UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is a nominee for the "Best Minor League Ballpark" in the 2013 10Best Readers' Choice Awards, and fans can vote once per day at 10Best.com until the winner is announced Aug. 14. The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday, July 30. 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 next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!