MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bees rally for six unanswered runs to salvage series split

Published on August 10, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Quad Cities River Bandits got two more hits and another RBI from Midwest League Player of the Week Xavier Scruggs on Monday night, but even the slugging first baseman - who has now driven in 17 runs in just eight games - could not prevent the Burlington Bees from rallying for six unanswered runs and a 7-5 win at Community Field.

Quad Cities (20-23, 50-63) led 5-1 after the middle of the third inning, but the Bees chipped away for single runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings before seizing control with a three-run rally in the sixth. Burlington (19-24, 48-65) salvaged a four-game series split with the comeback victory, led by four RBI and the go-ahead hit from David Wood.

After David Wood's sacrifice fly pulled the Bees to within 5-2, Shawn Griffin helped the home team inch closer with a pair of doubles. The designated hitter led off the fourth with a two-base hit and came around to score, then added an RBI-double in the fifth that plated David Wood and brought Burlington to within a run.

The Bees made their final move in the sixth. Singles by Ryan Wood and Patrick Norris combined with a walk to Fernando Garcia to load the bases with one out. Adrian Ortiz followed with a bouncer to first, but Scruggs could only tag the batter as Ryan Wood crossed the plate with the game-tying run. The next man up was David Wood, who turned on a 2-2 pitch and lined a tie-breaking, two-run single into right that completed Burlington's comeback and gave them a 7-5 lead.

The bullpen did the rest. Riquy Pena (2-2) fanned four over 2.1 scoreless innings of one-hit ball to earn the win, Justin Garcia added 1.2 shutout frames, and closer Barry Bowden (9) survived a one-out single by Scruggs to strike out a pair and earn the save with a scoreless ninth inning.

Quad Cities reliever Jonathan Gonzalez (0-1) was charged with both the blown save and the loss. After throwing six hitless innings over his first three appearances with the club, Gonzalez was tagged for three runs in a single frame on Monday.

Early on, the River Bandits fell behind 1-0 after the opening frame but rallied for five consecutive runs over the next two innings.

There were two outs and a man at first in the top of the second when Jason Stidham's walk and Jarred Bogany's infield single loaded the bases. Jack Cawley followed with a bouncer into the hole at shortstop that tied the score with a second consecutive infield hit. D'Marcus Ingram then lined a base hit into center that plated Stidham, but center fielder Patrick Norris gunned down Bogany at the dish. Still, Quad Cities emerged with a 2-1 lead.

One inning later, the heart of the order went to work. Jermaine Curtis got it started with a leadoff single and promptly scored as Scruggs delivered a double that one-hopped the wall in left. Scruggs was later retired at the plate on a fielder's choice, but with two outs and Domnit Bolivar at first the Bandits were not done yet. Bolivar stole second and scored when Frederick Parejo's bouncer to the left side slipped beneath the third baseman's glove. After Parejo swiped second, a single by Stidham drove him in to extend the River Bandits' advantage to 5-1.

Burlington responded by chipping away at the lead, however, plating single runs in each of the next three innings before making their move in the sixth.

UP NEXT: The River Bandits continue an eight-game road stretch by kicking off a four-game series at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday night against the Kane County Cougars at Elfstrom Stadium. Quad Cities will return to Modern Woodmen Park for an eight-game homestand on Saturday, August 15, kicking things off with DHCU Night featuring a Rascal bobblehead doll giveaway for the first 2,000 fans, post-game fireworks, and a post-game Dueling Pianos concert thanks to Nan's Piano Bar on a Rockin' Saturday.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: The Quad Cities River Bandits drew more than 103,000 fans in the first half of the season for only the third time in team history. Ticket sales, concessions, merchandise sales, sponsorships and even Kids' Zone revenues are all up over last season, which was one of the team's best in history! Banditwear, 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

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from August 10, 2009


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central