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Jenkins fans 10, but Bandits fall to Chiefs, 7-5
05/07/2012 3:53 PM ET
Peoria Chiefs first baseman Paul Hoilman hit a go-ahead grand slam off River Bandits right-hander Willy Paulino with two outs in the seventh inning, spoiling a 10-strikeout start from right-hander Tyrell Jenkins, who got a no-decision in Peoria's 7-5 win Monday in front of a season-high 5,411 fans at Modern Woodmen Park.

Jenkins left with a 4-2 lead after six innings in which he allowed four hits, walked four batters and struck out a career-high 10 batters. For the second straight start he got a no-decision because the bullpen lost the lead.

Paulino (1-2) retired the first two batters in the seventh before a single by Chiefs second baseman Zeke DeVoss. Center fielder Taiwan Easterling then hit a ground ball to third base, but Garrett Wittels skipped a throw past first baseman David Medina, allowing the runners to reach second and third. Paulino then walked third baseman Wes Darvill to load the bases for Hoilman, who had extended his Midwest League-leading hitting streak to 20 games with a third-inning single. Hoilman connected on a 2-1 fastball for his second grand slam of the season, tying both the Chiefs' single-season and career records and giving Peoria a 6-4 lead.

Quad Cities scored once in the eighth on Darvill's second throwing error, which allowed catcher Juan Castillo to reach first base and Medina to score from second base. Peoria got the run back in the top of the ninth when Easterling reached on a bunt single and went to second on Wittels' second throwing error. Two batters later, Hoilman singled to left to bring home Easterling and extend the lead to 7-5.

In the bottom of the ninth, Chiefs left-hander Jeff Lorick hit two batters but got designated hitter Roberto De La Cruz to strike out looking for the final out, giving Lorick his fourth save and the River Bandits' their first loss in their last four games.

For the third straight game, Quad Cities scored first against Peoria, as Castillo hit a second-inning RBI double to drive in right fielder Anthony Garcia. It was one of only three hits for the River Bandits against right-hander P.J. Francescon (3-1), who went six innings, allowing four runs - two earned - and three walks, and striking out four batters.

Peoria took a 2-1 lead in the third inning with the help of two wild pitches and an error by Jenkins and two passed balls by Castillo.

The River Bandits tied the game with their next batter, as shortstop Matt Williams hit a leadoff home run in the third - his first of the season - to tie it, 2-2. The River Bandits plated two more runs in the fifth, taking advantage of catcher's interference to extend the inning, which allowed Medina to knock a two-run double to left field that gave Quad Cities a 4-2 lead.

Quad Cities fell two games behind first-place Wisconsin, which plays a doubleheader Monday night. The River Bandits and Peoria Chiefs continue the inaugural Rivertown Showdown by concluding their four-game series at 7 p.m. Tuesday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The River Bandits have yet to announce a starting pitcher against Peoria right-hander Jose Rosario (1-2).

UP NEXT: Championship Weekend concludes on Tuesday night, as the World Series Trophy and Midwest League Championship Trophy will be on display in the Mediacom Business Sports Lounge for the 7 p.m. series finale between the River Bandits and Chiefs. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., all individual tickets are buy-one-get-one free, and all kids get vouchers for a free meal. On Dew for Twosday presented by Pepsi, CBS4, WOC and Q106.5, fans who bring an empty Mountain Dew can or bottle to the gates will receive a voucher for a free soda. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at (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!



This story was not subject to the approval of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues or its clubs.