River Bandits rally past Timber Rattlers, 9-4
GRAND CHUTE, Wis. - One night after losing a three-run lead to Wisconsin, the Quad Cities River Bandits fell behind, 4-1, after four innings but used four-run frames in the fifth and sixth innings, along with 14 hits, to overcome the Timber Rattlers for a 9-4 road win at Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
The first four spots in the Quad Cities order went a combined 10-for-16 with five runs and six RBIs. Center fielder Teoscar Hernandez went 4-for-5 with a game-high three runs scored. Shortstop Carlos Correa extended his hitting streak to six games with a 3-for-5 night, including a double, two runs and two RBIs. Designated hitter Miles Hamblin went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBIs, and three walks.
Hernandez started the offense by leading off the game with a single against right-hander Leonard Lorenzo. Two batters later, Hamblin hit a liner past first baseman Adam Giacalone into the right-field corner to bring in Hernandez. Quad Cities right-hander Lance McCullers worked a scoreless bottom of the first inning but was removed from the game with hip tightness.
Left-hander Mitchell Lambson started the bottom of the second inning and worked two scoreless frames before alowing the first five Wisconsin batters to reach base in the fourth on a walk, an error by shortstop Carlos Correa, a walk and consecutive RBI singles by third baseman Alfredo Rodriguez and catcher Brent Dean. Right-hander Michael Dimock (5-0) came on to allow two inherited runners to score before ending the inning with back-to-back strikeouts and a 4-1 deficit.
Quad Cities (22-16) responded quickly against Lorenzo in the top of the fifth, as catcher Roberto Pena drew a leadoff walk in front of four consecutive singles by left fielder Jordan Scott, Hernandez, Correa and Hamblin - with each of the last three bringing in runs for a 4-4 tie. Correa scored on a ground-ball double play by first baseman Jesse Wierzbicki against right-hander Taylor Mangum (1-3).
Dimock allowed a double, walk and hit batter to load the bases in the bottom of the fifth before striking out shortstop Orlando Arcia to preserve the one-run lead. The River Bandits added four runs against right-hander Damien Magnifico in the sixth, as second baseman Brian Blasik drew a leadoff walk and in one play stole second, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on a throwing error by catcher Brent Dean. Pena doubled and scored on a wild pitch, and Hernandez singled and scored on a double by Correa, who scored on Wierzbicki's RBI single for a 9-4 advantage.
Right-hander Daniel Minor made the lead stand, allowing three hits in four shutout innings for his first professional save. Thursday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, May 16. 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 Thursday, May 16.
The River Bandits and Timber Rattlers (18-18) play the rubber match of their series at 12:05 p.m. Thursday, when Quad Cities left-hander Colton Cain (1-4) and right-hander Mike Hauschild (1-0) face Wisconsin right-handers Austin Blaski (2-0).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits begin their next home stand Friday, May 17, with Petrolpalooza Night - when berm tickets are 10 cents lower than the average price of a gallon of unleaded gasoline at BP, and bleacher tickets are 10 cents below the price of a premium unleaded gallon. Friday will also feature a Fireworks show presented by Eastern Iowa Toyota Dealers, WLLR and WQAD. 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 began the season with a great start, and they sit in second place in the Midwest League's Western Division. Meanwhile, the team's 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 the ballpark, along with a new dual zip line, a carousel, a Mediacom 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 on June 6 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!