River Bandits rally, walk off again to down Wisconsin
Quad Cities (34-34) and Wisconsin (44-24) remained tied, 2-2, from the fourth inning until the bottom of the ninth, when River Bandits right fielder David Medina rolled a bunt along the third base line for a leadoff single against right-hander Mark Williams (4-5). Hill came in to pinch run before first baseman Roberto De La Cruz bunted a ball between the pitcher's mound and third base that was thrown down the right-field line by Macias, allowing Hill to score the winning run.
The Timber Rattlers had won seven straight games and clinched the Western Division first-half title this week. They outhit Quad Cities, 8-5, and scored twice in the second inning against left-hander Hector Hernandez. Designated hitter Cameron Garfield hit a leadoff single to the hole at shortstop, and right fielder Chadwin Stang reached on a bunt that Hernandez threw down the right-field line. Catcher Rafael Neda began a 3-for-4 night with an RBI single to center field for the first run. Second baseman Carlos George hit a bases-loaded single for the second run.
Wisconsin right-hander Chad Thompson retired the first eight River Bandits and held a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth. He walked designated hitter Colin Walsh with one out. Two batters later, left fielder Anthony Garcia had the first River Bandits hit with a game-tying, two-run home run to left field. It was Garcia's seventh homer of the season and third in his last five games.
Hernandez settled down following the two runs in the second inning to finish six innings, allow six hits, two runs - one earned - walk two batters and match a season high with six strikeouts. Right-hander Ricky Martinez pitched scoreless seventh and eighth innings. Right-hander Travis Miller (2-0) allowed a leadoff single by Neda in the ninth inning, and pinch runner Max Walla reached third base on a sacrifice and passed ball. Miller struck out George for the second out, and after hitting Macias, Miller got shortstop Yadiel Rivera to ground out to second base to end a scoreless ninth.
Thompson finished five innings for the Timber Rattlers, allowed three hits and two runs, walked three batters and struck out four. Williams allowed two hits and the unearned run while walking a single batter and striking out three.
The River Bandits and Timber Rattlers will play the second game of a three-game series Saturday night at 7 p.m. Right-hander Willy Paulino (2-4) will make his first start against Wisconsin right-hander David Goforth (5-4).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits will celebrate the 175th anniversary of John Deere Saturday night at Modern Woodmen Park. A pregame concert will be presented by 101.3 KISS-FM. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. game, and the night will conclude with postgame fireworks. 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!