Clinton Routs River Bandits 16-2
Published on June 8, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release
The Quad Cities River Bandits passed a record 7,056 enthusiastic fans through the turnstiles on Monday night at Modern Woodmen Park, all of which enjoyed a fantastic evening of family fun and premium entertainment despite a 16-2 loss at the hands of the Clinton LumberKings.
The robust crowd on Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Night marked the largest since the ballpark's thorough renovation in 2003, surpassing the previous high of 6,822 set on Thrivent's most recent previous night on June 10, 2008. Fans were treated to the on-field antics of Breakin' BBoy McCoy and an exhilarating post-game fireworks display in addition to the River Bandits' regular in-game entertainment.
Between the lines, Quad Cities (25-31) lost for the 15th time in 19 games to drop a season-high six games below .500. After sneaking out extra-inning wins on both Saturday and Sunday, Clinton (31-26) batted around in a bizarre five-run fifth inning on Monday - and then again during a seven-run sixth - as the River Bandits suffered their most lopsided defeat of the season.
The River Bandits were trailing 3-1 when the ballgame spiraled out of control during a controversial top of the fifth.
After a leadoff walk to Jake Shaffer, Luis Nunez sent a liner to right that prompted a diving attempt from outfielder Frederick Parejo - but instead of a potential double play with the lead runner already past second, base umpire Charles Billington ruled that the ball hit the ground. Despite a brief argument from River Bandits manager Steve Dillard, runners were at the corners with nobody out. Following a run-scoring single from Scott Savastano, Kirk Sanchez sent a potential double play ball to second that Alex Castellanos flipped to shortstop Guillermo Toribio. But after the ball dropped out of Toribio's glove, Billington ruled that he never had control and everybody was safe - prompting a vehement argument from the usually mild-mannered Dillard as both he and Castellanos were ejected.
One batter later Denny Almonte launched a deep fly ball to left-center that cleared the fence for a grand slam, but the play was initially called a ground-rule double. After a brief argument from LumberKings' skipper Scott Steinmann followed by a River Bandits pitching change, the call was reversed and Almonte was given credit for his 11th home run of the year. As Clinton seized an 8-1 lead, Quad Cities pitching coach Ace Adams became the third ejection of the inning arguing the changed call.
After 10 men came to the plate in the fifth, the LumberKings sent 12 men to the dish in the sixth inning during a rally which started with two outs and the bases empty. Clinton registered five consecutive singles off reliever Scott McGregor before Terry Serrano chipped in with a double, Shaffer reached on a fielding error, and Nunez and Savastano each checked in with singles. Nine consecutive men reached base during the rally as the River Bandits watched seven more runs cross the plate and fell behind, 15-1.
A pair of solo homers capped the scoring in the ninth, as Savastano launched one in the top of the frame while Frederick Parejo gave Quad Cities fans another reason to cheer in the final half-inning.
Though the starting pitchers were long gone by the time the final out was recorded, Aaron Pribanic (5-2) earned the win for Clinton with 5.1 impressive frames of three-hit ball. Kevin Thomas (2-2) suffered the loss for Quad Cities after giving up eight runs - seven earned - on nine hits over four innings.
Before his ejection, Castellanos extended his hitting streak to 14 with a leadoff single in the first, marking the longest streak by a River Bandits player this year and the longest current stretch by a Midwest Leaguer. The infielder from Miami is batting .404 with eight extra-base hits, 13 runs scored and seven stolen bases during the streak.
Midwest League Stories from June 8, 2009
- Clinton Routs River Bandits 16-2 - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Bees' Homers Sink Kernels, 2-1 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Loons, Dragons Rained Out Monday - Great Lakes Loons
- Cougars Edge Peoria, 5-4 - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs Blow Early Lead, Lose 5-4 - Peoria Chiefs
- Back-to-Back Homers Lead Bees Past Kernels - Burlington Bees
- Hawks Remain Winless vs. TinCaps - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Dragons Game Rained Out - Dayton Dragons
- Washout In Lansing, Doubleheader Tuesday - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Lugnuts and Whitecaps Rained Out - Lansing Lugnuts
- Play Catch on Field for Father's Day - Peoria Chiefs
- A Tale of Two Games - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Whitecaps To Kick Off Eight-Game Homestand - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Cancer Survivors Day Brings Smiles to Elfstorm Stadium - Kane County Cougars
- Dyson Named Batter of the Week - Burlington Bees
- Timber Rattlers Announce Peanut Free Game On July 8 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons GameDay - Dayton Dragons
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