Bandits Get Another Big Blast to Beat Wisconsin
DAVENPORT, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattler were left with a feeling of déjà vu after Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park. For the second night in row, the River Bandits hit a grand slam in the fifth inning to propel them to
DAVENPORT, IA – The Wisconsin Timber Rattler were left with a feeling of déjà vu after Friday’s 7-3 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits at Modern Woodmen Park. For the second night in row, the River Bandits hit a grand slam in the fifth inning to propel them to a victory over the Rattlers. Both teams have won two games in the series with two games remaining in the six-game set with both teams tied at the top of the West Division with identical records.
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Quad Cities (19-12) loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the first inning as Rattlers starting pitcher Yujanyer Herrera gave up a lead-off single and two walks. Herrera threw a wild pitch to let a run score and walked another batter with two outs to reload the bases before getting a strikeout to end the frame with minimal damage despite tossing 34 pitches.
The River Bandits added to their lead in the second inning on an RBI single by Carson Roccaforte.
The Timber Rattlers (19-12) scored in the top of the fourth. Dylan O’Rae started the inning with a triple for Wisconsin’s first hit off Quad Cities starter Frankie Mozzicato. Luke Adams drove in O’Rae with a sacrifice fly.
Wisconsin took the lead in the top of the fifth. Mozzicato walked Jesús Chirinos on five pitches to start the inning. Jheremy Vargas, who turned 21 today, launched a home run to the top of the berm beyond the fence in left to put the Rattlers up 3-2.
Herrera went back out for the bottom of the fifth inning and recorded his fifth strikeout as he reached 89 pitches to end his night.
Chase Costello entered the game from the Wisconsin bullpen. He gave up a single before getting the second out of the inning. However, a walk and an infield single loaded the bases for Jack Pineda. Costello fell behind in the count with three straight balls. He hit the target for a strike on the next pitch. Then, Pineda cracked a long home run to right to surge the River Bandits into a 6-3 lead.
On Thursday, Jared Dickey hit a bases-loaded homer in the bottom of the fifth to give Quad Cities a 7-1 lead on the way to an 8-1 victory.
Wisconsin pitchers have allowed three grand slams this season. They have also given up at least one homer in seven straight games.
The Timber Rattlers tried to rally in the eighth inning. Luis Lara walked, and Gregory Barrios singled with one out against reliever Oscar Rayo. Both runners were left stranded as Rayo go a flyout and a popup to end the threat.
Wisconsin went down quietly in the ninth and were held to three hits in the game for their second consecutive loss. The Rattlers defense played their eighth consecutive errorless game.
The Timber Rattlers and River Bandits are set to play game five of their series on Saturday night at Modern Woodmen Park. Alexander Cornielle (2-1, 5.01) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. The River Bandits have announced Henry Williams (1-0, 3.91) as their starting pitcher. Game time is 6:00pm. The radio broadcast is on AM1280, WNAM starting with the Community Blood Center Pregame Show at 5:50pm. Fans can also listen to the audio on the internet or watch the game on the Bally Live App.