MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Ritchie Lifts Bandits to 10-Inning Win

Published on June 17, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


CLINTON, Iowa (June 17, 2015) - River Bandits designated hitter Jamie Ritchie hit a two-run home run in the 10th inning, and pitchers Jorge Perez, Justin Ferrell, and Angel Heredia combined to limit the Clinton LumberKings to just four hits as Quad Cities won in dramatic fashion, 2-0, Wednesday night at Ashford University Field.

The win for the River Bandits (42-22) leaves them with a magic number of one to clinch the first-half Western Division title. The next Quad Cities win or loss by Cedar Rapids (40-26) would secure the best winning percentage in the entire Midwest League for the first half. The River Bandits will open the Midwest League playoffs with a best-of-three series against Cedar Rapids beginning Wednesday, Sept. 9.

Ritchie's homer - his third of the year and first since May 12 at home against Beloit - came with two outs in the 10th inning and pinch runner Sean McMullen on second base against reliever Ronald Dominguez (0-1). McMullen was running for third baseman Alex Hernandez, who walked to start the inning and was bunted over to second by center fielder Bobby Boyd.

Wednesday's game was a pitchers' duel and featured great efforts by each starter. Patrick Peterson went a career-high 7 1/3 innings for Clinton (24-41), allowing no runs on four hits while striking out three and walking a pair. The River Bandits put multiple runners on base in the same inning once against Peterson, as left fielder Ramon Laureano singled, and Hernandez walked in the top of the second. Peterson was able to recover though, getting Boyd to fly out to left and striking out second baseman Thomas Lindauer looking.

Perez was solid in his second start for the River Bandits (42-22), allowing no runs on two hits while striking out five and walking three in five innings. Perez allowed baserunners in every inning after the first, but got ground balls in the third, fourth, and fifth innings that allowed his defense to turn a double play in each inning. The final outs of Perez's day were recorded on a great individual effort by Lindauer, who was able to charge in from his position to field a ball off the bat of second baseman Gianfranco Wawoe in front of the base at second, reach back with a foot to touch the bag, and then while slipping, throw over to first baseman Nick Tanielu to retire the side.

With Perez out of the game, Quad Cities turned to Justin Ferrell (1-0), who made his Midwest League debut by going four innings, striking out one and allowing two hits, worked through a difficult situation in the bottom of the ninth. With one out and the bases empty, Ferrell allowed a double to second baseman Chris Mariscal, who had begun Clinton's game-winning rally in the 11th inning Tuesday. With Mariscal on second base, Ferrell then walked the right fielder Estarlyn Morales, before getting left fielder Taylor Zeutenhorst to fly out to left. Third baseman Joe DeCarlo walked to load the bases. With two outs in a scoreless tie, Ferrell pitched to first baseman Kristian Brito with no room for error. Ferrell was able to get Brito to ground a 2-2 pitch to shortstop Kristian Trompiz, who fielded the ball and underhanded to second base with Lindauer covering, ending the threat for Clinton and setting the stage for Ritchie in the 10th.

Angel Heredia pitched a perfect bottom of the 10th inning for his first Midwest League save, and first for him since July 27, 2014, when he was a member of the rookie-level Greeneville Astros.

The final game of the series is Thursday night in Clinton and features two tall right-handers, as River Bandits 6-foot-8-inch right-hander Brock Dykxhoorn (4-3, 3.71) will face Clinton's 6-foot-6-inch Lukas Schiraldi (4-4, 4.62).

UP NEXT: Modern Woodmen Park is hosting a Father's Day Cookout for the 1:15 p.m. game Sunday, June 21. Call 563-324-3000 to order a package that includes a game ticket and access to the all-you-can-eat buffet in the Budweiser Champions Club. The day includes a Mega Mini-Fridge Giveaway presented by Budweiser and 7G Distributing and is a Family Sunday presented by B100 and ESPN 93.5. Individual tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office and online at riverbandits.com. Ticket plans of 12 to 70 games - which include free parking, reserved seats, merchandise discounts, and guaranteed giveaways - are available by calling 563-324-3000.

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Midwest League Stories from June 17, 2015


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