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Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits And Whitecaps Split Doubleheader

July 30, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits split a doubleheader with the West Michigan Whitecaps on Wednesday night, losing the opener 7-2 before bouncing back for a 5-2 win in the nightcap at Modern Woodmen Park.

Quad Cities (21-18, 54-49) used a big three-run homer by Brett Wallace as a springboard to a game two win, ending the night just a game out of first place and one of six teams within 2.5 games of the top of the Midwest League's Western Division. West Michigan (18-20, 55-51) will face Lance Lynn, the 39th overall pick in the 2008 draft, as he makes his River Bandits debut on Thursday night in the rubber match of the three-game series.

After dropping game one of the twin bill, the River Bandits fell behind in the nightcap when Whitecaps' shortstop Audy Ciriaco's hit a run-scoring double in the top of the first.

But in the bottom of the frame, Quad Cities battled back. With one away, D'Marcus Ingram singled through the left side of the infield and Pete Kozma reached on an error by the pitcher. Wallace followed by blasting a 1-2 offering the other way for a three-run homer, giving the River Bandits a 3-1 advantage.

West Michigan pulled to within 3-2 with an unearned run in the third, but a pair of run-scoring singles by Roberto Espinoza helped Quad Cities put the game on ice. The 19-year-old catcher from Venezuela singled to left field in both the fourth and sixth innings, driving home a single runner each time to stretch the River Bandits lead to 5-2.

Ryan Kulik (3-3) earned the win with 5.2 solid innings, allowing just two runs - one earned - while striking out two and inducing a pair of double plays. Pete Parise (12) threw the final 1.1 frames and fanned three to earn the save.

Game two also witnessed the end of Kozma's hitting streak, which he stretched to 15 games after a 2-for-4 performance in the first contest. The 2007 first-round pick easily surpassed the previous longest hitting streak by a River Bandit in 2008, nearly doubling the eight-game standard with a torrid stretch in which he hit .417 with nine multi-hit games, nine RBI, and nine extra-base hits.

The opening game of the doubleheader belonged to West Michigan.

The Whitecaps rallied to take the lead in the second inning, notching five hits in the frame. Ronnie Bourquin got things started with a leadoff double to left and was bunted to third base. With the infield in, Jordan Newton hit a hard grounder to short that Kozma made a diving stop on, but he was unable to grab hold of the loose ball as Bourquin scored from third. Later in the frame West Michigan rattled off three consecutive two-out singles, including run-scoring knocks from Chris White and Joe Tucker to jump out to a 3-0 lead.

They cruised to the victory from there, led by lefty Jon Kibler (11-4) who finished just one out shy of the complete game. The Midwest League ERA leader scattered 10 hits but allowed just two runs - one earned - while fanning four and walking two. He was removed from the game with two outs in the bottom of the seventh before Wilton Garcia struck out the only batter he faced for the game's final out.

West Michigan added a pair of runs on Jordan Newton's two-run double in the fifth before Ingram got Quad Cities on the board with an RBI-single in the bottom half of the frame. After the Whitecaps put two more on the board in the sixth, Ingram went back to work with a solo homer - his second of the season - to reach the 7-2 final.

Between the two games, Ingram went 4-for-6 with a homer and two runs scored.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits conclude their current season against the West Michigan Whitecaps with Hawkeye Mania on a Thirst-day Thursday. The second half of the homestand will consist of a visit from the Dayton Dragons, starting with a Rally Towel giveaway sponsored by the Quad City International Airport on a Fireworks Friday. A Rockin' Saturday featuring a live post-game concert by Wicked Liz and the Bellyswirls will also be Credit Union Night to benefit the Children's Miracle Network. The homestand will then wind down on a busy U.S. Bank Family Sunday that will also include a baseball giveaway and Bark in the Park, giving fans the opportunity to bring their dogs out to the ballpark. Bandit Wear featuring the new team name and logo is currently available by visiting the Modern Woodmen Park team store, and prorated versions of season ticket packages, mini-packages, and the popular You-Pick-10 Plan are on sale at the park or by calling (563) 3-BANDITS!

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Midwest League Stories from July 30, 2008


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