Ferrell's 7 no-hit innings push Bandits past Bees
River Bandits starter Justin Ferrell carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning, striking out four and walking four, and the Quad Cities offense racked up double-digit hits for the third straight game in the series, as the Quad Cities River Bandits beat the Burlington Bees, 3-2, Sunday afternoon at Modern Woodmen Park in Davenport.
Ferrell's career-best start of 7 1/3 innings was the longest by a River Bandit since Michael Feliz went eight innings last Aug. 5 aginst Burlington. The no-hitter to start the eighth inning Sunday was the deepest Quad Cities had carried a no-hitter since April 30, 2011, when Anthony Ferrara pitched seven no-hit innings against Cedar Rapids, before Boone Whiting allowed a one-out hit in the eighth inning of a 2-0, one-hit win.
Burlington right fielder Natanael Delgado ended the no-hitter with a double down the third-base line after Ferrell (2-2) began the eighth inning with a leadoff walk to catcher Wade Wass. With runners at second and third bases, Ferrell allowed a sharply hit single to left field by the next batter, first baseman Steven Mateo, to score the Bees' first run. Center fielder Michael Hermosillo then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, cutting the Quad Cities lead to 3-2. Ferrell was charged with two earned runs on two hits and four walks with four strikeouts.
Right-hander Angel Heredia entered with the tying run at first base and one out in the eighth inning. Burlington shortstop Jake Yacinich and second baseman Erick Salcedo reached on consecutive singles to load the bases with one out, but Heredia shut the door, striking out third baseman Nick Flair and getting left fielder Trever Allen to pop out to second base to curb the rally and keep the Bandits ahead, 3-2. Heredia then retired the side in order in the ninth to preserve the win for Ferrell and notch his fourth save of the season.
Quad Cities (11-7 second half, 56-30 overall) scored in the first inning for the third consecutive game on an RBI groundout by catcher Jamie Ritchie to score center fielder Bobby Boyd. Boyd had reached on a base hit to start the inning and advanced all the way to third on an errant pickoff attempt by Burlington starter Keynan Middleton (4-6). Sean McMullen's solo home run in the second inning - his fifth of the year - extended the lead to 2-0. The lead became 3-0 in the seventh inning, after second baseman Kristian Trompiz doubled to left-center field to plate first baseman Ryan Bottger, who drew a leadoff walk to start the inning.
Burlington (6-12, 41-46) almost began the game with a hit, as shortstop Jake Yacinich lined a ball into right-center field that was caught by right fielder Ramon Laureano on a head-first dive. Third baseman Nick Tanielu also kept a hit off the board in the sixth inning, when he barehanded a ball bunted up the third-base line by Bees second baseman Erick Salcedo.
The four-game series between Burlington and the River Bandits wraps up Monday at 7 p.m., as right-handers Justin Anderson (5-6, 3.10) of Burlington and David Paulino (1-1, 1.80) of Quad Cities square off on the mound.
UP NEXT: Gates open at 6 p.m. for the ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration, which will include a pregame parade of ADA athletes. The 7 p.m. game is Military Monday presented by Performance Food Group, 97X and ESPN 93.5. All veterans and active military can show their military ID at the box office to purchase $1 bleacher tickets for themselves and up to three guests. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.
ABOUT THE BANDITS: With the installation of the Ferris Wheel, the River Bandits ownership in 2014 made one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931, and this year the club is matching that effort by opening three new areas. A two-tiered special group deck immediately behind and overlooking the corn field opened in June. A new 11,000-square-foot concourse expansion down the third-base line will open in July. Finally, the club is expanding the children's play area by an additional 5,500 square feet down the right-field line. New rides will be announced upon completion of these new areas.