River Bandits Rally Late to Avoid Sweep with 10-6 Win
Published on May 21, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release
The Quad Cities River Bandits came from behind to claim just their second win in their last eight contests, capitalizing on a six-run seventh inning for a 10-6 victory to avoid a series sweep at the hands of the Clinton Lumberkings Monday night at Ashford University Field in Clinton, Iowa.
After River Bandits left-hander Jonathan Cornelius and LumberKings right-hander Brett Shankin each pitched two shutout innings, Quad Cities (21-23) broke through in the third. Left fielder Roberto Reyes and shortstop Matt Williams led off the inning with back-to-back singles. Right fielder Nick Martini then hit a double to left field that scored Reyes from second, and successive ground balls by third baseman Tyler Rahmatulla and catcher Juan Castillo brought in runs to give Quad Cities a 3-0 lead.
The LumberKings (16-28) answered right back in their half of the third, scoring four times on three doubles to take a one-run lead. Clinton second baseman Dillon Hazlett doubled to right to lead off the inning, and shortstop Bryan Brito added a one-out double to cut the deficit to 3-1. Center fielder Jamal Austin singled to put runners at first and third. Left fielder Patrick Brady followed with an RBI single for the second run, and two batters later, first baseman Dan Paolini hit a two-out, two-run double to give Clinton a 4-3 lead.
Shankin held the one-run lead through a career-high six innings, allowing three earned runs on five hits, while notching a career-best nine strikeouts. Both Shankin and Cornelius got no-decisions, as the latter threw five innings, allowed four runs and six hits while striking out three batters. Neither starter issued a walk.
The pivotal seventh inning brought eight batters to the plate for Quad Cities, and six of them scored. With one out, second baseman Neal Pritchard singled off reliever Benjamin Cornwell (0-1), who proceeded to walk Reyes and allow a game-tying single to Williams. Martini then drew a walk to load the bases. Cornwell was removed for right-hander John Taylor, who allowed a go-ahead, two-run single to center field by Rahmatulla. An RBI single by Castillo extended the lead to 7-4, and a poorly executed rundown by Clinton allowed Rahmatulla to steal home while center fielder Virgil Hill swiped second. Hill scored on an RBI single by first baseman Roberto De La Cruz that made it 9-4.
In the bottom of the seventh, LumberKings right fielder Janelfry Zorrilla hit his first home run of the season off right-hander Robert Stock (3-0) to pull Clinton within four, but the River Bandits got the run back on an eighth-inning single by Williams, who had a team-high three hits. LumberKings designated hitter Jabari Blash added a mammoth solo home run in the bottom of the eighth, but it was the only run against right-hander Ethan Cole, who pitched the final two innings and struck out Clinton catcher Steven Baron to end the game with a runner at first base.
Following on off day Tuesday, the River Bandits begin a three-game home series Wednesday night against Wisconsin. Left-hander Kyle Hald (0-2) will make the start for Quad Cities against Timber Rattlers right-hander Matt Miller (2-4).
UP NEXT: The River Bandits return home Wednesday, May 23, to start a three-game series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on another Pay Your Bill Wednesday presented by Mix 96. Fans can bring copies of their bills to the ballpark to be entered in a drawing, from which two will be selected and paid by the River Bandits up to $100 each. Single-game tickets are on sale at the River Bandits box office at Modern Woodmen Park, by phone at (563) 3-BANDIT and online at www.riverbandits.com. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $50. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.
Midwest League Stories from May 21, 2012
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- Muller's Return Keys Dragons 7-6 Win - Dayton Dragons
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- Mark Williams Named Midwest League Pitcher of the Week - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
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