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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

D-Rays hold off Swing

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


The Swing of the Quad Cities furiously rallied in the late going but couldn't push the tying run across as they were defeated, 5-4, on Friday night by the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays at C.O. Brown Stadium. Casey Rowlett provided a three-run double as the major part of the comeback, while four Swing relievers kept the Swing in the game after Michael Cooper was knocked out in the first inning.

Because the Kane County Cougars were defeated at home against Cedar Rapids on Friday night, the Swing's magic number still drops to one as the Swing attempt to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2002. This means that the Swing (36-31, 72-64) will qualify for the postseason with a win in any of their final three games.

Trailing 5-1 after seven innings, the Swing showed spunk in putting up three runs against Chris Mason, Tampa's second-round selection in June's draft. Nick Stavinoha reached on an error with one away, then Chris Patrick and Mike Ferris had back-to-back singles to load the bases. Rowlett followed by drilling a bases-clearing double to right-center, scoring all three runners to slice the Rays lead to 5-4. But Mason coaxed a popout from pinch hitter Wes Swackhamer to end the threat, and closer Jose de la Cruz sent the Swing down in order to end the contest in the ninth.

After enduring a 2-for-32 slump, Rowlett has gone 8-for-14 with six RBI over his past four games, providing thunder in the bottom part of the lineup.

The Devil Rays jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three runs with two outs in the inning. After Fernando Perez scored by sliding around a tag on an infield bouncer, Patrick Breen had a two-out RBI single and Tommy Nichols ripped a two-run double down the left field line.

Swing starter Michael Cooper could not get out of the first inning, allowing two base hits, walking two, and retiring only two batters. After posting a 1-2 record and a 3.32 ERA over his first seven starts, the 17th-round pick out of Fresno State has allowed 21 earned runs in 7.2 innings over his last three starts, as he has dropped to 1-4 with a 6.70 ERA.

Quad Cities tallied for the first time in the top half of the third inning. Nick Stavinoha reached on an error, swiped second, moved to third on an error, and scampered home when a wild pitch skipped past catcher Craig Markel.

Jason Cairns led a quartet of relievers who were fantastic in quieting the Devil Rays. The righty shut down Southwest Michigan for 3.1 innings of work, allowing only one unearned run on two hits. Over his last 14 innings, the Central Michigan product has surrendered just one earned run, including four hitless innings in a spot start on August 21.

Michael Gross followed with two perfect innings, striking out two, while Buddy Blair and Mike Sillman each struck out the side in their only work of the night.

Jarrad Lavergne earned the victory for Southwest Michigan, holding the Swing to only four hits through seven innings. The hottest pitcher in the Midwest League, the lefty struck out five while walking only two. Lavergne has not allowed an earned run in his last 23.2 innings, and is now 3-0 with a 1.04 ERA over his last five starts.

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