BANDITS BREAK OUT STICKS, HAMMER FELIZ
Quad Cities (5-4, 38-35) got big nights from their 2-3-4 hitters, as Pete Kozma, Francisco Rivera, and Matt Arburr combined to go 6-for-11 with three extra-base hits, four runs scored, and all six of the team's runs batted in. Clinton (2-7, 43-33) ace Neftali Feliz entered play having racked up 30 strikeouts over 16.1 innings in his last three starts, but despite shooting out of the gates with blazing stuff, the River Bandits were able to send him to the showers with a loss.
The River Bandits scratched out an early run against Feliz after Kozma drew a one-out walk in the top of the first. Not intimidated by the flame-throwing right-hander, the 19-year-old first baseman Rivera followed by driving a double into the gap in left-center that plated the runner from first for a 1-0 lead.
After Feliz struck out six of the next seven batters he faced, Kozma started another rally with a one-out single in the third. Two batters later, Arburr sliced a liner down the right field line that brought Kozma around with a big two-out run for a 2-0 advantage.
Clinton cut the deficit to 2-1 with an unearned run in the third, but Quad Cities responded with a big inning that chased Feliz from the game in the top of the fifth. Oliver Marmol opened the frame by roping a single to left and moved to third on a base hit by Adron Chambers. Kozma followed with a swinging bunt down the third base line that went for an infield single and drove in a run. After Rivera plated Chambers with a sacrifice fly to left, Arburr capped the rally with a towering two-run homer, making it a 6-1 River Bandits lead after the four-run outburst.
Clinton added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings, but it was too little too late as Quad Cities held on for the 6-3 win.
Mark Diapoules (5-1) out-dueled Feliz to earn the victory with an impressive outing, allowing just two hits over 6.2 innings before being removed as his pitch count reached 99. He left the game having allowed just two unearned runs, but issued a two-out walk against the last batter he faced that eventually came around to score against reliever Dylan Gonzalez. In all, Diapoules allowed three runs - one earned - on two hits while fanning five and walking three.
In the end, Feliz (6-3) allowed six runs on eight hits over 4.2 frames to take the loss. His final line did not tell the whole story, however, as the Rangers' blue chip prospect used a filthy fastball-slider combination to register all eight of his strikeouts through the first 3.1 innings.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits are in the midst of a four-game weekend series in Clinton against the LumberKings, but will return to Modern Woodmen Park on Tuesday for a seven-game homestand. The home stretch kicks off on July 1 against the Cedar Rapids Kernels with Halloween in July, also the Davenport Noon Optimists' Youth Appreciation Night, a Margarita Monday, and a Two-for-Tuesday! A Wacky WINS-day follows with guaranteed prizes for everyone in attendance on an IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union Night. As Independence Day looms, Thursday, July 3, will be a Thirst-day Thursday with half-price drink specials while the game will be followed by the City of Davenport's Red, White, and BOOM fireworks display. The River Bandits will celebrate the Fourth of July one night later with the biggest fireworks extravaganza of the season on Friday while also honoring those that serve our community on Hometown Heroes Night. After Cedar Rapids leaves town, the homestand continues July 5-7 against the Peoria Chiefs, as Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg makes his final regular season trip to Modern Woodmen Park. Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and season ticket packages, mini-packages, and the popular You-Pick-10 Plan are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 3-BANDITS!