Jeremy Pena enjoyed a big night at the plate and on the field as he helped to lead the Quad Cities River Bandits to a 4-1 victory over the Peoria Chiefs Wednesday at Dozer Park. Pena hit his first home run of the season to give the Bandits an early
Jeremy Pena enjoyed a big night at the plate and on the field as he helped to lead the Quad Cities River Bandits to a 4-1 victory over the Peoria Chiefs Wednesday at Dozer Park. Pena hit his first home run of the season to give the Bandits an early lead and closed out the game by starting a triple play in the bottom of the ninth to end the game with the tying run at the plate.
The River Bandits (10-8) were able to jump out of the gates quickly, using Pena's long ball to tally in the first. With two outs and the bases empty, the shortstop launched a fastball from Cole Aker onto the berm behind the left field wall to put the Bandits ahead 1-0.
The lead grew by one run in both the third and fifth innings against Peoria starter Cole Aker. The third frame began with back-to-back walks to Marty Costes and Enmanuel Valdez. They each advanced one base on a wild pitch to put two in scoring position with no outs. Cesar Salazar drove in a run by lifting a sacrifice fly to deep center that allowed Costes to race home. Trey Dawson smacked his first home run of the season, a solo shot, in the top of the fifth to stretch the margin to 3-0.
A rare River Bandits miscue on the field allowed Peoria to pull closer in the fifth inning. Edwin Figuera opened the inning with a chopper to first that was gloved by Schreiber. His throw to first with the pitcher covering sailed wide and allowed the Figuera to reach base. Delvin Perez followed with a single to right field that left runners on the corners with no outs. Lars Nootbaar drove in Figuera with a fielder's choice roller to second and the Chiefs trimmed the lead to 3-1. The error was only the seventh committed by the River Bandits this season.
In the eighth, Valdez and Pena began the frame with a pair of singles to put runners on first and third with no outs. Salazar again took advantage with a sacrifice fly to center, this time scoring Valdez to third and pushing the lead back to 4-1.
Peoria (6-13) put their first two hitters on base in the bottom of the ninth and had the tying run at the plate in the form of Figuera. He hit a sharp one-hopper to short that Pena gloved with a backhanded stab. Pena then flipped to Trey Dawson at second base for the force out, Dawson tagged the runner who began the play at second and then fired to first to complete the game-ending triple play on a nice scoop by Schreiber at first.
Nivaldo Rodriguez, the River Bandits starting pitcher, earned the win with 5.0 innings of work. He allowed just one unearned run and struck out four while scattering six hits. Riley Cabral worked 4.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen to pick up the save in his River Bandits debut.
The River Bandits will play their final game before returning home to Modern Woodmen Park on Thursday in Clinton at 1:00 p.m. Taking the mound for the Bandits will be RHP Brett Conine (1-2, 3.60). The LumberKings will counter with RHP Peyton Culbertson (0-0, 4.50)
All River Bandits games are broadcast on 1170 K-BOB and TuneIn Radio. Home games are also available with video on MiLB.TV.
