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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Bats sluggish as Swing lose homestand opener

August 2, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


LumberKings cruise after two first-inning runs; Scherer loses for first time since early June

The Clinton LumberKings scored three early runs and the Swing had no answer for a trio of LumberKings pitchers as the Swing were defeated, 5-0, on Tuesday night at John O'Donnell Stadium. Burlington scored a come-from-behind victory in ten innings at Lansing on Tuesday, so the first-place Swing are (23-16, 59-49) currently one game ahead of the Bees - the current wild card club - in the Western Division standings.

Quad Cities starting pitcher Matt Scherer chipped in with his team-leading 12th quality start of the season, allowing three runs (two earned) and striking out five in six innings while picking up the loss. The righthander - who had benefited from an average of 9.43 runs per game while winning six of his first seven second-half starts - watched as the Quad Cities offense did not have a baserunner with less than two outs until the bottom of the eighth inning. Scherer is now 6-1 with a 2.98 ERA since the All-Star break, as Tuesday marked his first loss since June 9.

The LumberKings (18-21, 55-53) scored twice in the first inning and once more in the second against Scherer. Billy Susdorf dropped down a one-out bunt single to the left side of the Swing infield, and then Brandon Boggs singled into center to more Susdorf to third. With two outs, Boggs sprinted towards second base, and stole the base when Swing catcher threw to the uncovered bag. Susdorf came home from third on the play, and Boggs scored on Ben Harrison's two-out single for a 2-0 LumberKings lead.

Clinton tallied an unearned run in the second inning. Craig Hurta singled to open the frame, and broke for second on a hit-and-run play. Johnny Washington swung and missed at the pitch, and Swing catcher Cody Palmer uncorked a strong throw to second. But Hurta knocked the ball out of Lucena's glove with a hard slide, stayed at second base, and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Susdorf.

Clinton closed its scoring in the top of the eighth inning, as Harrison led off the frame with a double, and Jim Fasano knocked him home. Fasano came home later in the inning, when Tug Hulett drew a two-out, bases-loaded walk.

Quad Cities offered little in the way of offense on the game. The Swing had a minor chance in the third, when Matt Shepherd and Lucena had back-to-back two-out singles. But winning pitcher Kea Kometani coaxed a groundout from Nick Stavinoha to end that threat. Palmer ripped a leadoff double to left in the top of the eighth, but was stranded in scoring position after a strikeout and a pair of bounceouts. Chris Patrick and Mike Ferris drew consecutive two-out walks in the ninth, but a flyout from Wes Swackhamer closed the game.

UP NEXT: The Swing and LumberKings continue the series on Wednesday, as Quad Cities sends Tyler Adamczyk (3-3, 8.25) to the mound against Kyle Rogers (5-8, 6.48). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 6:45.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND: Wednesday night will be a Hooters/97 Rock Beverage Night, featuring discounted drinks until 8:30. In addition, it will be AWFUL NIGHT, with appropriately-themed performances and giveaways throughout the night. Finally, it will be Trinity Medical Center Employee Night at John O'Donnell Stadium. Tickets are available for all Swing games by calling (563) 328-2000.

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Midwest League Stories from August 2, 2005


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