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Quad Cities River Bandits

Harben dominates as Swing top Kernels, 6-0

June 27, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Adam Harben threw a career-high eight scoreless innings and the Swing blasted two home runs to break open a tight game in the top of the seventh as the Swing of the Quad Cities defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 6-0, on Friday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Infielder Nick Punto, with the Swing on an injury-rehab assignment, belted one of the Swing’s two homers, while Quad Cities’ pitching staff maintained a streak of 22 straight scoreless innings.

Harben threw smoke all night for the Swing, allowing only two hits in his eight innings of work. He struck out seven and walked only one while improving to 4-4 on the season. Harben has gone 3-0 with a 2.09 ERA and 45 strikeouts over his last six outings, including five quality starts. After Saturday’s play, the righty ranks sixth in the league with 87 whiffs on the year.

The Swing pitching staff has allowed only 10 hits over its last 22 innings of work, during which time they’ve held the opposition scoreless. The Swing have registered two straight shutouts for the first time this year, and now have recorded eight shutouts overall this season, two more than the entire 2003 campaign.

For the third straight night, the Swing took the lead in the top of the first inning. JR Taylor opened the game with a single into right, and Kyle Phillips did the same with one out. With a full count on Brock Peterson, the Swing attempted a double steal. Peterson struck out, but catcher Tommy Duenas’ throw sailed into center field, allowing Taylor to score for a 1-0 Swing lead.

The Swing added a run in the top of the fourth inning. Omar Burgos drew a one-out walk, stole second, and scored when Mark Zamojc tripled over the head of centerfielder Quan Cosby.

Quad Cities belted two home runs to break it open in the top of the seventh inning. With one out and down in the count, 0-1, Scott Whitrock drilled a solo blast over the 16-foot wall in left to increase the Swing’s lead to 3-0. Whitrock has blasted a team-leading nine long balls on the season, with three coming against the Kernels.

Ryan Spataro and Taylor drew consecutive walks with two outs for the Swing and, on a 3-0 count, Punto drilled a low fastball over the wall in right, about 390 feet away from home plate. It was the 10th home run in the 563-game minor league career for Punto, who is currently on a rehab assignment with the Swing, and put Quad Cities on top, 6-0.

After Harben was removed from the game, Julio DePaula worked the ninth to close it out. He was helped out defensively by Punto, who made a leaping catch on a line drive from Baltazar Lopez for the second out of the inning. Cleanup hitter Bobby Wilson popped lazily to Taylor to end the game.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Kernels play the final game of the series on Sunday, as the Swing send Scott Tyler (1-1, 3.42) to the hill against Kevin Jepsen (6-4, 4.42). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00, and pregame coverage on Great Country 105 will kick off at 1:45.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Swing return home to host the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Monday, June 28. First pitch is scheduled for noon.

PROMOTION: Monday, June 28, will be a special noon start time, and there will be numerous day camps and day care centers in attendance. In addition, it is a business person’s special, a great chance for the local business community to take an early lunch.

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Midwest League Stories from June 27, 2004


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