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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits let late lead slipp away

May 3, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits led for most of the afternoon on Sunday, only to watch a pair of two-out runs cross the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning of a 4-3 loss to the Clinton LumberKings at Alliant Energy Field.

Quad Cities (13-9) seized a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning and wiggled out of a number of jams before Clinton (13-9) pulled off the late rally. The two clubs will finish the three-game series with a rubber match on Monday night.

The River Bandits led 3-2 when piggyback starter Miguel Tapia issued a one-out walk in the bottom of the eighth and was relieved by Ramon Delgado (0-1). A fielder's choice left a man at first with two outs, prompting the speedy Daniel Carroll to enter the game as a pinch runner. With the runner going Nate Tenbrink blooped a flare to shallow center, but Brian Buck got a late jump in and the ball landed between he and second baseman Brett Lilley - allowing Carroll to race all the way home and tie the score. One pitch later, Mario Martinez cracked a triple to right-center that plated Tenbrink and put Clinton ahead, 4-3.

Quad Cities got a leadoff single from Jon Edwards in the ninth, but Ruben Flores (1-0) retired the next three batters he faced to complete the LumberKings' stunning comeback.

Prior to the late Clinton rally, the River Bandits controlled the pace of the ballgame from the start.

Quad Cities took advantage of a pair of LumberKings errors to push across a run in the top of the first. Paul Cruz battled to a full count before drawing a two-out walk, and moments later advanced to third after a low pickoff attempt skipped past the first baseman. When Luis Nunez could not handle a grounder to second base, Cruz crossed the plate for a 1-0 lead.

After Maximo Mendez walked and scored in the bottom of the first, Quad Cities went back to work in the third. Buck drew a leadoff walk, moved to second on a passed ball and took third on Lilley's sacrifice bunt. Niko Vasquez followed with a sacrifice fly that gave the River Bandits a 2-1 advantage.

Clinton again answered in the bottom half of the frame with a two-out single from Scott Savastano that tied the score, but Quad Cities took the lead back in the top of the fourth. Chris Swauger lined a double down the third base line to start the inning, while Charlie Cutler's line drive to right scored the runner and the River Bandits recaptured the lead, 3-2.

That margin held until the top of the eighth, when the LumberKings put together the game-winning rally.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue their road trip on Monday with the rubber match of a three-game series against the LumberKings in Clinton before heading to Great Lakes on Tuesday. They will return to Modern Woodmen Park for a three-game homestand against the Cedar Rapids Kernels that begins on Friday, May 8. The series kicks off with Going Green Night, featuring an Aluminum Water Bottle Giveaway from the Waste Commission as well as a fireworks show on a Fireworks Friday. One night later the first 1,000 fans will get a free hat from the Association of the United States Army on Military Appreciation Night, while Spatterdash takes the stage for a live post-game concert on a Rockin' Saturday. The series concludes with the first Tailz ‘Er Waggin' Dog Day of Summer on a U.S. Bank Family Sunday, which will also be Make-a-Wish Night at the ballpark!

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Under new ownership and management in 2008, the Quad Cities River Bandits topped 207,000 fans for only the sixth time in team history and the first time in 12 years. Having recently completed one of the most successful seasons in the history of the franchise - and with a renewed dedication to fans, sponsors and the Quad Cities community - the return of the River Bandits has brought a resurgence of support for the team. BanditWear, season tickets and mini-plans, and individual game tickets are on sale for the 2009 season by calling (563) 3-BANDIT or heading to www.RiverBandits.com. But hurry - good seats are going fast!

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from May 3, 2009


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