Bandits break out bats to win series over Bees
The Quad Cities River Bandits tossed aside a 2-1, fifth-inning by scoring eight runs on 11 hits in the fifth through seventh innings to help left-hander Josh Hader win his five-inning, Quad Cities home debut and carry the team to its third straight victory with a 9-2 triumph over the Burlington Bees in front of 2,277 at Modern Woodmen Park Tuesday night.
Second baseman Austin Elkins and first baseman Bobby Borchering each homered for the River Bandits (33-23 second half, 71-54 overall) to win the four-game series over Burlington (23-34, 49-73). Quad Cities' nine runs on 14 hits were its highest totals since a 9-1 win with 15 hits in Beloit July 28, and the three-game winning streak is the longest since a season-high seven-game run July 28-Aug. 3.
Designated hitter Tony Kemp, center fielder Teoscar Hernandez and first baseman Bobby Borchering each had three hits, and Elkins had a game-high three RBIs. Quad Cities took the lead in the second inning, as Borchering doubled and scored on Elkins' sacrifice fly.
Hader stranded six baserunners in the first four innings, but in the fifth, he hit Bees third baseman Sherman Johnson before a single down the third-base line by second baseman Garrett Cannizaro, who was put out by shortstop Carlos Correa throwing to Elkins at second base. Bees designated hitter Exicardo Cayones hit a game-tying triple to center field and scored on a groundout by first baseman Wade Hinkle for the Bees' only lead at 2-1. Hader allowed five hits and two earned runs while walking two batters, hitting three and striking out two.
Elkins led off the bottom of the fifth with his first right-handed home run to left field that tied the game, 2-2. Catcher Roberto Pena doubled and moved to third base on a sacrifice by right fielder Jordan Scott. With Kemp batting and DeLoach's back to third base, Pena ran for the plate as Kemp put down a suicide squeeze bunt that went as an infield single and go-ahead RBI. Hernandez singled to end DeLoach's night after 4 1/3 innings, and Correa slapped a two-run single through the drawn-in infield for a 5-2 lead.
In the sixth, Elkins drew a leadoff walk against right-hander Jake Boyd and scored on Kemp's triple to right-center field, and Hernandez followed with an RBI triple to nearly the same spot - giving Quad Cities its first multi-triple game of the year. Borchering hit a seventh-inning, one-out home run to left field off left-hander Eswarlin Jimenez, who yielded an Elkins RBI double that made it 9-2. River Bandits right-hander Jamaine Cotton went three innings, and right-hander Patrick Christensen tossed the final inning of a shutout bullpen effort.
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 Wednesday, Aug. 21. Tuesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Wednesday, Aug. 21. 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 Wednesday, Aug. 21. The River Bandits open a three-game series with first-place Cedar Rapids (39-18, 79-46) at 7 p.m. Wednesday, when right-hander Daniel Minor (7-3) is scheduled to face Kernels left-hander Miguel Sulbaran (6-4).
UP NEXT: All tickets are half price for Wednesday's game, and the first 1,000 fans receive a free River Bandits hat courtesy of Modern Woodmen of America. The River Bandits homestand continues through Friday, Aug. 23. 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 ownership is making 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 planned for next spring, along with a carousel and other new games and attractions. This season, the team just unveiled a new 300-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, a Mediacom Frog Hopper, and a number of new bounce houses . The team also boasts a new major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, and fans can see the first team in Minor League Baseball history with back-to-back No. 1 overall draft picks - 2012 top pick Carlos Correa and 2013 top pick Mark Appel, as well as 2012 first-round draft choice Lance McCullers. With new rides, new attractions, new improvements, a new affiliate and future major league stars, the second half of this season is one every fan will not want to miss!