Big innings get River Bandits a 16-6 win over Kernels
River Bandits right fielder David Medina was a home run short of the cycle and had four RBIs, and left fielder Colin Walsh had a hit, three walks, and three RBIs while reaching base in the 20th straight game for the River Bandits. Quad Cities (25-26) has won three of the first four games in the five-game, four-day set in Cedar Rapids and clinched its first series win since taking two of three games at Burlington May 3-4. The River Bandits split a four-game series against Peoria May 5-8 and lost their next five series.
The first four batters of the game reached against Kernels right-hander Jairo Diaz (2-5). Shortstop Matt Williams and center fielder Nick Martini each singled, and third baseman Tyler Rahmatulla was hit by a pitch. Walsh drew a walk to bring in a run, and two batters later, first baseman Roberto De La Cruz grounded out to bring in another run for a 2-0 lead.
After the Kernels (23-28) got a run in the first against Cornelius (1-1), Quad Cities put the first five batters on base in the top of the second. Catcher Juan Castillo hit a leadoff double, second baseman Neal Pritchard was hit by a pitch, and Williams reached on a bunt single to load the bases. Martini followed with a two-run single to right, and Rahmatulla added an RBI double to left field. Walsh then hit a sacrifice fly to center, and designated hitter Anthony Garcia brought in another run with a double to left. Two batters later, Medina brought in the final run with a two-out double to left - the fourth double of the inning for Quad Cities, which brought 10 batters to the plate in the second to open an 8-1 advantage.
De La Cruz extended the lead to 9-1 with his fourth home run of the year leading off the fifth. It was the final tally allowed by Diaz, who went six innings, allowed nine hits and nine earned runs, walked a batter and struck out five. Cedar Rapids scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to close within 9-3.
In the seventh, Walsh walked and scored on Medina's single to make it 10-3. In the bottom of the inning, Cornelius allowed two doubles and a sacrifice fly before a two-out exit. He pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing eight hits, a walk and three earned runs to go with four strikeouts. He gave way to left-hander Bob Revesz, who got the final out of the seventh and pitched the last 2 1/3 innings. Revesz allowed four hits and two ninth-inning runs.
Leading 10-4 in the ninth, the River Bandits broke out against right-hander Joe Melioris. Walsh drew his third walk, Garcia was hit by a pitch, and Medina drove both home with a one-out triple. Castillo singled home Medina, Rahmatulla later added a two-run single, and Walsh brought in the final run with a single to right. After 11 batters in the ninth, the River Bandits were retired, leading 16-4.
The River Bandits and Kernels conclude their five-game series at 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, when Quad Cities left-hander Kyle Hald (0-3) is scheduled to face right-hander Cam Bedrosian (0-4).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits return to Modern Woodmen Park to host the Beloit Snappers at 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 30, to begin a six-game home stand with Men in Black III Night and a Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by Mix 96. 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!