MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bandits plate five in ninth for win

Published on August 13, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits were not out of tricks when they headed into the ninth inning on Wednesday night, rallying for five runs in the final frame to shock the Beloit Snappers with a 5-3 win at Pohlman Field.

Quad Cities (28-24, 61-55) managed just five hits and no runs through the first eight frames, but rallied for six hits in the ninth to pull off the comeback. Beloit (27-25, 63-57) threatened a comeback of their own in the bottom of the ninth, scoring twice and bringing the potential game-tying run to the plate before the game's final out.

The River Bandits' prospects looked dim after failing to convert on a bases loaded chance with one out in the eighth, but Quad Cities never wavered heading into the final frame.

Trailing by a 1-0 score, Francisco Rivera started the top of the ninth by doubling to right against Snappers' reliever Santos Arias. He was promptly removed for pinch runner Tommy Pham, who advanced to third on a fly ball to right. Carlos Pupo followed with a game-tying single through the left side of the infield, and after Roberto Espinoza reached on an error, Oliver Marmol put the River Bandits ahead for good with a double to the wall in left.

Suddenly leading 2-1, Quad Cities continued the rally against Beloit's Michael Tarsi. With men on second and third, Adron Chambers delivered a two-run single up the middle. Later in the frame, Jon Edwards capped the rally with a base hit to right that drove home the fifth run of the frame and pushed the Bandits' advantage to 5-1.

Beloit mounted a rally of their own in the bottom of the ninth. After getting a pair of groundball outs to start the inning, Eduardo Sanchez walked the next two batters he faced before a wild pitch moved both runners into scoring position. Estarlin De Los Santos made it a 5-3 ballgame with a two-run single that brought the potential game-tying run to the plate, but Sanchez induced a game-ending groundout from Yongervis Solarte to seal the victory.

That made a winner out of Dylan Gonzalez (1-3), who retired all four batters he faced to pick up his first victory of the year. Earlier in the evening, starter Deryk Hooker turned in a solid outing in his Midwest League debut. The 19-year-old righty stepped into the starting rotation after being called up from the Appalachian League on Wednesday and allowed just one run over five innings.

Arias (5-6) took the loss for Beloit, blowing the save and yielding four runs - three earned - on three hits in one inning.

Prior to the thrilling comeback, the story of the game was a dominant performance by Midwest League strikeout leader David Bromberg. The Snappers' starter racked up a season-high 10 strikeouts over seven shutout innings. He gave up three hits and walked two, allowing just two men to advance past first base and no hits after the fourth inning. In two starts against the River Bandits this season, Bromberg is 1-0 with 13 shutout innings and 18 strikeouts.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue their series against the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field before returning to Modern Woodmen Park on Saturday to host the first-place Burlington Bees in a battle between two playoff contenders. The series kicks of with a Bobble-Election sponsored by Pepsi and WQAD Newschannel 8 on Saturday in which fans will have the opportunity to choose between Barack Obama or John McCain bobblehead upon entry, while fireworks and a live concert by Spatterdash will follow the ballgame. Sunday's game feature a pre-game giveaway of the 2008 River Bandits Team Poster in addition to player autographs on a U.S. Bank Family Sunday. Monday night will be a Battle of the Mascots as well as a Margarita Monday, while the series concludes with a ballcap giveaway on another Modern Woodmen Half-Price Night Tuesday. 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!

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from August 13, 2008


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