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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Following rain delay, Meacham strong in win

June 3, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities pushed their season-high winning streak to five games Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark, downing the West Michigan Whitecaps, 3-2. After thunderstorms delayed first pitch for one hour and 50 minutes, the Swing continued on their streak that has featured strong defensive play, solid starting pitching, and timely hitting.

Quad Cities (25-28) has won the first two games of the four-game series, and is guaranteed of a winning record on the eight-game road trip with a 5-1 mark thus far. The Swing improved to 15-11 away from home this season, as opposed to a 10-17 record at John O'Donnell Stadium. West Michigan (32-21) finds themselves in a three-game skid for the first time this year.

Cory Meacham (4-3) turned in another sturdy outing, lasting seven innings for his third start in a row. The 21-year-old righthander gave up two runs on six hits and three walks, benefiting from three double plays behind him. Since returning from the Disabled List on May 5, Meacham has gone 3-1 with a 2.03 ERA.

After the lengthy rain delay Meacham looked rusty to start the outing, walking the first two batters he faced. With men at the corners and one out, however, the Swing defense shined behind him. Randy Roth snagged a hard-hit groundball towards first base, stepped on the bag and fired to the plate. Bryan Anderson tagged out Will Rhymes to complete the double play and get Meacham out of the jam, keeping the game scoreless.

The solid defense carried over at the plate in the next half-inning, as Quad Cities took the lead with a run in the second. It was Anderson doubling to left with one out, as the 19-year-old catcher came home for the game's first run on a single by A.J. Van Slyke two batters later.

Daniel Nelson then led off the third inning with a two-base hit of his own. He was at third with Colby Rasmus at first when Roth hit a fly ball into left field that was caught by Mike Hernandez. The throw to the plate was on line and in time on one hop, but catcher Joel Roa dropped the ball as Nelson came barreling in for the second Swing run. Rasmus moved to second base on the backstop's error, scoring one batter later after a single by Anderson to give Quad Cities a 3-0 lead.

West Michigan put together a rally in the bottom of the third that started when Roa drew a one-out walk. A double by Will Rhymes put runners on second and third, and a groundout by Pedro Cotto advanced each runner 90 feet and scored Roa. Mike Hernandez followed by pulling a double into left field, bringing the Whitecaps to within 3-2.

But that was as close as they would get. Both teams failed to score another run in the ballgame, as the scoreboard featured nothing but zeros over the final six frames.

Scott Vander Weg (7) came on for the save in the ninth, spelling closer Brian Stitt who had finished out the previous three games. Vander Weg, who opened the year as the Swing's closer, tossed a 1-2-3 ninth that featured a spectacular diving catch in foul territory by Casey Rowlett that saw the right fielder slide all the way to the Whitecaps' bullpen.

Josh Rainwater (1-1) took the loss in his first start (third appearance) of the year for West Michigan. After struggling in the Florida State League to start the year, the returning Midwest Leaguer allowed three runs - two earned - on six hits in five innings of work.

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Midwest League Stories from June 3, 2006


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