Justice smacks walk-off hit, Swing commits six errors

June 5, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK - Justin Justice delivered a two-out, game winning single to center field in the bottom of the eleventh inning to lift the Whitecaps past Quad Cities, 6-5. With the victory, West Michigan avoids a four game sweep and snaps a four-game losing streak.

Matt Rusch pitched three innings of shutout relief to keep the game tied and earn the victory. The right-hander is 5-2 in relief this season.

The Swing committed six errors for the second time this season, including two on one play in the third inning and two more in the seventh inning that allowed the Whitecaps to take a 5-4 lead. Six errors is the most ever committed against the West Michigan and matches a mark achieved three times, most recently by Burlington on September 3, 2000.

Quad Cities pitchers issued ten walks, which is a season-high for the Whitecaps offense. They also threw two wild pitches and balked once.

West Michigan grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Matt Joyce and a run-scoring ground ball from Justice.

Mike Hernandez drove in a run to make it a 3-0 advantage in the third. His ground ball to third base was bobbled by Dan Nelson, then thrown by Nelson down the right field line, which resulted in two errors on the same play.

Simon Williams laced his first triple of the season to left-center in the top of the fourth to drive in three runs for Quad Cities and tie the game, 3-3.

The Swing took the lead in the fifth when Nelson scored on a sacrifice fly by Casey Rowlett to make the score 4-3.

West Michigan scored twice in the seventh to move in front for a second time.

Pinch hitter Max Leon led off the inning and reached base on catcher's interference. Will Rhymes then bunted a ball up the first base line for a single, but in an attempt to retire Rhymes at first base, relief pitcher Jonathan Mikrut threw the ball to the Whitecaps bullpen in right field.

Leon scored to tie the game, 4-4. Rhymes crossed the plate two batters later on a sacrifice fly by Matt Joyce as the Whitecaps moved in front, 5-4.

In the top of the seventh, West Michigan reliever Ricky Steik allowed the tying run despite holding the Swing hitless. Jose Martinez was hit by a pitch to lead off, stole second and eventually scored on a sac fly by Luis Cotto.

Matt Joyce scored the winning run in the eleventh for the 'Caps.

Midwest League Stories from June 5, 2006

• Prosise-ly placed homer leads Rattlers to victory - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Cougars build lead, beat devil rays - Kane County Cougars
• Justice smacks walk-off hit, Swing commits six errors - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Cougars comeback falls short - Kane County Cougars
• Swing lose in extras, streak ends at six - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Chiefs drop third straight to Wizards 6-2 - Peoria Chiefs
• Dragons come all the way back, lose in 10 - Dayton Dragons
• SilverHawks take series over Lugnuts - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Hawks take three of four from Lansing - South Bend Silver Hawks
• McCormick Placed on DL - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Chiefs Add Outfielder Carter - Peoria Chiefs
• It's Macker Time - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Hundley activated from DL - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Padres to hold tryout camp at Memorial Stadium - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Billek Promoted to Daytona - Peoria Chiefs

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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