Bandits sparkle in Rivertown Showdown finale

An 8-run fourth inning on seven hits and three Peoria errors lifted the Bandits (21-15) to an 8-0 shutout victory over the Chiefs (17-17) in the series finale to a season-high crowd of 4,752 fans during Monday's matinee at Modern Woodmen Park.

Carlos Correa got things started for Quad Cities with a leadoff single in the fourth frame.  Correa stole second base and advanced to third on an error by pitcher Josh Lucas on a grounder off the bat of Jesse Wierzbicki, allowing the Bandits' cleanup hitter to reach first base.  Rio Ruiz collected his second of three hits on the day with a RBI-single that scored Correa for the first run.  An error by shortstop Alex Mejia allowed Terrell Joyce to reach first and load the bases for Ariel Ovando, who drove in Wierzbicki with a RBI-single to right field.  Jobduan Morales followed by driving in a pair with a single and the second error by Lucas accounted for another run.  Miles Hamblin knocked in the final run of the inning with a base hit that scored Correa.  All nine batters in the Quad Cities lineup reached base safely in the frame.

Monday's victory means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Tuesday, May 14. Anyone who mentions the River Bandits victory can receive a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two lunches or dinners with beverages on Tuesday, May 14.

The River Bandits' scoring of at least seven runs activates the "Lucky Seven Run" promotion, as American TV & Appliance at 4800 Elmore Avenue in Davenport will offer a 40% discount on select furniture Tuesday, May 13.

Ruiz, now with a 3-game hit streak, went 3-for-4 with a double and a RBI for the River Bandits.  Correa and Ovando also recorded multi-hit games.  Correa was 2-for-4 with a run scored and Ovando went 2-for-3 with a runs scored and a RBI.

Right-handed starter Jordan Jankowski (2-0) delivered five shutout innings, giving up three hits and striking out three Chiefs to earn the win.  Right-hander Josh Fields allowed one hit and also struck out a batter in two innings of relief in his second outing during his Major League rehab assignment with Quad Cities.  Fields struck out three and gave up a hit in two shutout innings in his first appearance against Cedar Rapids on Friday, May 10.  Left-hander Brian Holmes struck out a pair, walked one and gave up two hits in two innings as the scheduled second starter for the River Bandits.

Lucas (0-3) allowed all eight runs, only the first was earned, in six innings to take the loss.  Former River Bandit Nick Martini became the second position player to pitch against the River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park this season.  Listed as an outfielder, Martini pitched a scoreless eighth inning for Peoria. 

The River Bandits will send right-handers Jamaine Cotton (0-0) and Vincent Velasquez (3-1) to the mound against left-hander Mike Strong (0-1) and right-hander Tyler Wagner (3-1) at Wisconsin tomorrow at 6:35 p.m.

UP NEXT:  Quad Cities heads to Wisconsin for a 3-game series with the Timber Rattlers starting tomorrow through Thursday.  The River Bandits will return to Modern Woodmen Park to host the Beloit Snappers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, May 17.  Petropalooza night will kickoff the 7-game, 8-day home stand on Friday night.   Tickets will be sold at the average price of a gallon of gas in the Quad Cities, plus an additional 10 cents. Drivers save 10 cents off each gallon of gas the first time they use their BP Gas Driver Rewards card.  Fireworks will follow the game presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WQAD, and WLLR.  Single game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at 563-324-3000 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:   The River Bandits will make one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is scheduled to open in early June, along with two new zip lines, a carousel, a Frog Hopper, new bounce houses and many other fun attractions. The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans will see last year's No. 1 overall draft pick, Carlos Correa. The Astros will also make the very first selection in the major league draft this June and could have another top pick end up in the Quad Cities. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, this season will be one every fan will not want to miss!