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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Another four-run frame keys Swing win

August 2, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities took advantage of four crucial errors to break a tie game in the top of the eighth on Wednesday, plating four unearned runs en-route to a 9-6 win over the Lansing Lugnuts in a matinee at Oldsmobile Park. Thanks to a loss by Kane County earlier in the afternoon, the Swing find themselves just a half-game behind the first-place Cougars in the Midwest League's Western Division.

Quad Cities (23-16, 57-50) improved to a season-best seven games above the .500 mark after winning the first two games of the series, and will look to clinch the set Thursday night. Lansing (16-24, 56-51) has committed eight errors over the last two games, leading to six unearned runs for the Swing.

The game had been deadlocked at three since the fourth inning when Quad Cities took control in the top of the eighth. Tyler Greene was at first with Casey Rowlett at second when Mark Hamilton's hot smash to the first baseman kicked up off of David Hicks' glove and into right field, scoring Rowlett for the one-run lead. That miscue was followed by two more, as third baseman Anthony Garibaldi was charged with consecutive errors over the next two batters. Daniel Nelson and Henry Guerrero each chipped in with run-scoring singles, as the Swing scored four times thanks to three hits and four errors for the 7-3 edge.

A rash of scoring late would not affect the outcome, as Lansing rallied for two runs in the eighth on a Brian Bormaster home run and one more in the ninth. Quad Cities scored twice in the top of the ninth, taking advantage of three walks issued by Jordan Timm, who was pitching with a sidearm delivery for the first time in his career. Hamilton drove in Rowlett on a fielder's choice groundout, while Chad Gabriel's base hit plated Hamilton for the final Swing tally.

The scoring began in the top of the first, when Jon Jay singled for the Swing and moved to second in a wild pitch. Greene followed by slicing a single the other way to right, scoring Jay for a quick 1-0 lead.

In the bottom of the inning, however, the Lugnuts struck back. Consecutive singles by Jason Armstrong and Luke Hetherington opened the frame, but two outs later they were still on second and third when Hicks tapped a slow roller down the third baseline. The infield single scored a run to tie the game, and Bormaster followed by belting a two-run double into the gap in left-center on a full-count pitch that gave Lansing a 3-1 lead.

Quad Cities battled back over the next two innings, scoring single runs in the third and the fourth to tie the game at three runs apiece. Guerrero singled in the third and came around to score on a groundout by Rowlett. One inning later it was Guerrero at the plate with a full count and the bases loaded. The backup catcher was able to coax the walk, forcing home Greene to even up the score.

Although he did not figure into the decision, Swing starter Tyler Norrick overcame a shaky start to pitch a solid outing. After allowing three runs on five hits in the first inning, the sixth-rounder out of Southern Illinois blanked the Lugnuts the rest of the way. He gave up three runs on eight hits over six innings, picking up seven strikeouts while walking two.

Scott Vander Weg (7-2) earned the win, tossing a perfect bottom of the seventh before the decisive Swing rally in the eighth.

The loss went to Po-Hsuan Keng (1-4), who twirled two perfect innings before falling victim to the three Lansing errors in the eighth. He allowed four unearned runs on three hits in 2.1 innings.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will continue their series in Lansing on Thursday night, as RHP Donnie Smith (1-1, 5.40) will take the mound for the Swing opposite LHP A.J. Wideman (1-3, 4.54) of the Lugnuts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 5:50 p.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will return to Davenport for an eight-game homestand that will last from August 5-13, as the Clinton LumberKings and West Michigan Whitecaps will each come to town for four games.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The next homestand will kickoff on Saturday, August 5, as WQPT will bring Clifford the Big Red Dog to John O'Donnell Stadium and a KWQC fireworks display will follow the game. Sunday, August 6, will be the Optimists Youth Appreciation Day as well as a Mix 96 Family Fun Day, and a Q106.5 $1 Monday comes your way on August 6.

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