River Bandits power their way to 7-5 victory over Clinton
Davenport, IA - With two runs in their past 47 innings, a 3-0 lead after half an inning had the Clinton LumberKings (13-24, 43-62) on a high note in an attempt to avoid a sixth consecutive loss. Outside of the first half inning however, the Quad Cities River Bandits (21-16, 56-50) controlled the series opener at Modern Woodmen Park in route to a 7-5 win.
Andrew Thurman (5-6) allowed four consecutive singles to open the game and three runs in the first, but managed to complete seven innings in the win. A bases loaded two-RBI single by Justin Seager and an RBI double by Christian Carmichael had the LumberKings ahead 3-0 after half an inning, more runs than Clinton had scored in the past five games combined.
After Edwin Diaz (3-7) recorded just five outs in a loss vs. West Michigan on 7/24, the righty did the same Tuesday night. Diaz allowed a pair of runs in each of the first two innings, as he fell for the second consecutive start, and has only one win in his last 10 outings. For the second night in a row, Quad Cities' leadoff man Brett Phillips began the game with a home run, his 11th of the season. It was the fourth consecutive game with a home run for the outfielder. Diaz then loaded the bases with only one out, and a Ryan Bottger sacrifice fly made it 3-2 Clinton after just one inning.
The home team jumped on top in the second, and didn't turn back. Quad Cities loaded the bases without the use of a hit, as Diaz hit Brett Booth, Thomas Lindauer reached on an error, and James Ramsay walked. Chase McDonald put the River Bandits ahead for good with a two-run single, and after Diaz retired A.J. Reed, Scott Steinmann went to Aaron Brooks, who did not fare much better than the Clinton starter. Though Brooks went a career high 4.1 innings, the righty allowed three runs, the ultimate difference in the game.
Up 5-3 in the fourth, Quad Cities closed its scoring with a pair of runs. A double by Booth and a sacrifice fly by Ramsay made it 6-3. Chase McDonald capped the scoring with a towering shot over the wall in left-centerfield, as he tied Phillips with his 11th home run.
The LumberKings chipped away at the lead in the final half of the game, but multiple rallies came up short. Chantz Mack drove home Luis Caballero in the fifth, while a double play plated a run off of Tyler Brunneman in the eighth. Clinton brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth vs. Frederick Tiburcio (SV, 6), but after a walk to Jeff Zimmerman, Isaiah Yates lined into a double play and Caballero struck out looking as Clinton dropped is sixth game in a row.
Chantz Mack had three hits for the fourth time this season, while Justin Seager was the only other LumberKings starter who recorded multiple hits. Clinton had more hits than its opponent (9-7) for the third time in the six game losing streak and has been outscored 36-11 over the skid.
The LumberKings will turn to Seon Gi Kim (0-2, 2.16) Wednesday night, as he is scheduled to start for Jose Flores, who pitched out of the bullpen on Tuesday. Chris Lee (6-5, 3.74) will make his third start vs. Clinton this season. First pitch at Modern Woodmen Park is scheduled for 7:00 CT. The LumberKings broadcast can be heard on 100.3 FM WCCI, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.