Kulik fires off seven strong, Bolivar hits big triple
Published on August 21, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release
The Quad Cities River Bandits overcame two early deficits on Thursday night to sneak out a 5-3 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Time Warner Cable Field at Fox Cities Stadium.
Quad Cities (30-29, 63-60) got solid pitching from a pair of left-handers and a timely triple from Domnit Bolivar that sparked the tiebreaking rally in the eighth. Wisconsin (20-39, 51-74) held two separate one-run leads within the first three innings of the game, only to watch the River Bandits chip away for the final three runs of the night.
After the two clubs traded leads early in the game, the score was tied at 3-3 until the top of the eighth. Bolivar gave the River Bandits some much needed momentum with one away, blasting a triple to right and forcing the Timber Rattlers to bring the infield in. Tommy Pham followed with a flare to center that touched down for a single, scoring the runner for a 4-3 lead.
Oliver Marmol and Francisco Rivera each doubled in the ninth to tack on an extra run and push the lead to 5-3, while reliever Matt Spade did the rest. Pitching in relief of starter Ryan Kulik, Spade (1) retired six of the seven batters he faced and struck out four over two frames to earn his first save of the year.
Meanwhile, Kulik (5-4) lasted at least seven innings in a start for his second consecutive outing. The lefty struck out nine without issuing a walk and allowed three runs - two earned - over seven full frames. Although Wisconsin registered 11 hits against him, Kulik was able to stymie the Timber Rattlers offense to keep his team in the game.
Joe Kantakevich (0-2) suffered the loss despite a solid outing, tossing 3.1 frames out of the bullpen but allowing the go-ahead run in the eighth.
The Timber Rattlers struck first with an unearned run in the bottom of the second inning, but the River Bandits quickly answered in the top of the third. Marmol led off the frame with a base hit and found himself at third after a single by Adron Chambers. One out later Rivera bounced a run-scoring single through the right side of the infield to tie the score. Curt Smith followed with a blooper to center that Daniel Carroll lost in the night sky, allowing Chambers to score from third as Quad Cities took a 2-1 lead.
The advantage was short-lived, however, as Wisconsin recaptured the lead in the bottom of the third. Carroll made up for his defensive miscue in the top half of the frame by launching a game-tying solo homer - the first of his pro career - to left-center with one out. Alex Menses followed with a double inside the bag at third and scored moments later on a single by Alex Liddi that put the Timber Rattlers back out in front, 3-2.
Quad Cities tied the score in the fifth. Niko Vasquez reached base to open the inning and wound up all the way at second after a throwing error by shortstop Juan Diaz. Later in the frame Vasquez was at third with two away when a wild pitch skipped by the catcher, enabling him to scamper home and tie the score at 3-3.
UP NEXT: The River Bandits are in the midst of a series in Wisconsin against the Timber Rattlers that is part of a stretch of eight consecutive road games. They will return to Modern Woodmen Park to finish the 2008 regular season with a Labor Day weekend series against Wisconsin beginning August 29. 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!
Midwest League Stories from August 21, 2008
- Chiefs Fall to Kernels 6-2 in Series Opener - Peoria Chiefs
- Cougars Take First Game of Final Homestand - Clinton LumberKings
- Bees Open Final Home Stand With Win over Beloit - Burlington Bees
- Rattlers fall to Bandits - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Kulik fires off seven strong, Bolivar hits big triple - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cougars Start Road Trip with Win - Kane County Cougars
- Henry is Whitecaps' ninth inning hero - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Bottom of Ninth Rally Dooms Dragons, 6-5 - Dayton Dragons
- Defense departs Lugnuts in 7-3 loss - Lansing Lugnuts
- Infield Struggles Help Silver Hawks to 6-5 Win - Great Lakes Loons
- Chiefs Right Hander Coleman Promoted to Daytona - Peoria Chiefs
- Two Draft Picks Join Bandits - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Season Tickets, Fireworks Higlight Final LumberKings Homestand - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Activate Montano - Dayton Dragons
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