BANDITS SERVE UP A DOZEN IN LOSS
Quad Cities (13-10) lost the final two games of the set, in the process losing a series for the first time since being swept on opening weekend by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Clinton (14-9) got a stellar pitching performance by Aaron Pribanic and took advantage of a series of miscues by the River Bandits to seize control.
Pribanic (3-1) earned the win in impressive fashion. He took a perfect game into the fifth inning and retired the first 13 batters he faced in order, setting down 17 of 18 before falling apart with four straight walks and a pair of wild pitches in the sixth. In all, the 22-year-old righty allowed just one hit and two runs over 5.2 innings.
Nate Tenbrink started the scoring in the second inning by tagging the first pitch of the frame over the fence in right field, and the LumberKings added to the lead in the third. Luis Nunez singled to open the frame and moved to second on a one-out bunt single by Maximo Mendez. Scott Savastano followed with a run-scoring single to right-center for a 2-0 lead. It looked like Quad Cities might limit the damage after Mendez ran into an out at the plate trying to take advantage of a ball in the dirt, but Tenbrink drew a walk and Travis Howell doubled home both runners to push the advantage to 4-0.
Clinton added two more runs in the fourth when Terry Serrano drew a one-out walk and Nunez doubled him to third. Daniel Carroll drove home a run on a bouncer to third base, while a line-drive single by Mendez to left increased the lead to 6-0.
The River Bandits got on the board in the top of the sixth as Pribanic lost his control. After retiring 17 of the 18 batters he faced through 5.2 stifling frames, the righty issued four consecutive two-out walks in the sixth. During the stretch he missed the strike zone with 16 of his 17 pitches, included a pair of wild pitches that allowed two runs to come home and cut the lead to 6-2.
But that was as close as Quad Cities would get. The River Bandits returned the favor by issuing four walks of their own in the bottom of the sixth as Clinton put four more runs on the board. In the seventh, Travis Howell blasted a two-out, two-run homer down the left field line that pushed the score to 12-2 with his third and fourth RBI of the night.
Andres Rosales (2-1) suffered the loss for Quad Cities despite showing a sharp curveball through his three innings of work. He struggled with his control, getting roughed up for four runs on five hits while fanning four and walking two.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue their road trip on Tuesday with the opener of a three-game set at the Dow Diamond against the Great Lakes Loons. They will return to Modern Woodmen Park for a three-game homestand against the Cedar Rapids Kernels that begins on Friday, May 8. The series kicks off with Going Green Night, featuring an Aluminum Water Bottle Giveaway from the Waste Commission as well as a fireworks show on a Fireworks Friday. One night later the first 1,000 fans will get a free hat from the Association of the United States Army on Military Appreciation Night, while Spatterdash takes the stage for a live post-game concert on a Rockin' Saturday. The series concludes with the first Tailz 'Er Waggin' Dog Day of Summer on a U.S. Bank Family Sunday, which will also be Make-a-Wish Night at the ballpark!
ABOUT THE BANDITS: Under new ownership and management in 2008, the Quad Cities River Bandits topped 207,000 fans for only the sixth time in team history and the first time in 12 years. Having recently completed one of the most successful seasons in the history of the franchise - and with a renewed dedication to fans, sponsors and the Quad Cities community - the return of the River Bandits has brought a resurgence of support for the team. BanditWear, season tickets and mini-plans, and individual game tickets are on sale for the 2009 season by calling (563) 3-BANDIT or heading to www.RiverBandits.com. But hurry - good seats are going fast!