Vasquez, Borchering lift Bandits to walk off win
Danry Vasquez belted a 2-run, game-tying home run and Bobby Borchering ripped a single to score Carlos Correa for the game-winning run in the ninth to give the Bandits a 4-3 victory over the Chiefs in front of 2,435 fans at Modern Woodmen Park on Wednesday night.
With the Bandits down 3-1, Peoria right-hander Joe Donofrio hit Austin 'Catfish' Elkins with a pitch to start the final frame. Two batters later Vasquez belted a 2-run homer into the Mississippi River out of right to even up the score. Correa followed with a double to straightaway center field, which caused Chiefs skipper Dann Bilardello to go to his bullpen and bring in right-hander Joe Scanio. Scanio struck out Gulbransen as the first batter he faced, but with two outs Borchering knocked in Correa for the winning run on a deep single to center field.
Left-hander Mitchell Lambson (7-3) tossed a scoreless final inning and two-thirds to earn the win. Bandit starter Mark Appel got a no decision despite allowing a lone run on six hits, striking out three and hitting one batter in a career-high four and two-thirds innings.
Donofrio (4-2) gave up the double to Correa and was charged with the loss.
Vasquez went 3-for-5 with the home run and two RBIs in his River Bandit debut after joining the team before Tuesday's rainout.
Bandit starter Mark Appel went a career-high four and two-thirds innings, allowing one run on six hits and striking out three. Chief starter Kyle Helisek hurled six shutout frames, allowing four hits and fanning six.
Wednesday's victory also means The Captain's Table at 4801 River Drive in Moline will offer The Captain's Table Victory Discount on Thursday, August 1. 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, August 1.
The Chiefs scored the game's first run on two hits in the third on Appel. Trevor Martin laced a leadoff double down the line in left, advanced to third on Gerwuins Velasco's groundout, and scored on Charlie Tilson's RBI-single up the middle.
Right-handers Appel and Gera Sanchez worked out of a jam in the fifth. Three consecutive singles by Martin, Velazco and C.J. McElroy loaded the bases for Peoria with no outs in the frame. Appel then got both Tilson and Breyvic Valera to ground to shortstop Carlos Correa, who fired home each time to retire the lead runner. With the bases still loaded and two outs, Sanchez entered the game and fanned Patrick Wisdom to escape the inning.
The first two batters for the Chiefs were able to get on base, as a pitch hit Jeremy Schaffer and Nick Martini reached on an error by second baseman Austin 'Catfish' Elkins to start the sixth. Ildemaro Vargas moved both runners 90 feet on a sacrifice bunt, and Martin followed by driving in the pair on a deep double to center field that plated Peoria with a 3-0 lead.
Quad Cities was able to get on the board in the seventh. Terrell Joyce lined a base hit to left field and advanced to second on a groundout by Elkins. Teoscar Hernandez then scorched a grounder up the middle that went off the glove of the second baseman Valera into center field for an error and allowing Joyce to score.
Sanchez gave up two runs, one earned, on three hits and struck out two in two and two-thirds innings for the River Bandits.
The River Bandits and Chiefs will makeup Tuesday's rainout with a doubleheader on Thursday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Right-hander Lance McCullers (5-5) will take the mound for Quad Cities against left-hander Ben O'Shea (1-0) of Peoria in Game 1, while right-hander Vincent Velasquez (7-4) will take on right-hander Chris Perry (1-1) in the nightcap. McCullers is scheduled to deliver the twin bill's first pitch at 6:00 p.m.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits will be giving away five used cars on Thursday night thanks to Reynolds Ford. Fans can enter-to-win a brand new used car on the concourse. It's another Thirst-day Thursday presented by The Quad Cities' CW, River Cities' Reader and Rock 104-9. Fans can enjoy $2 drink specials all game long! After the conclusion of Game 2 of the doubleheader, back-to-back first round picks Carlos Correa (2012) and Mark Appel (2013) will sign autographs for fans on the concourse near the team store. 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!