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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Late-game heroics propel QC to first four-game winning streak of the season

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


The Swing of the Quad Cities were determined to stay on a roll in the opener of a four-game series at Fifth Third Ballpark Friday, battling back to shock the West Michigan Whitecaps with a 4-3 win in 11 innings. With two outs and the bases empty in the ninth inning Randy Roth tied the game with a solo blast to left-center, and two innings later Jose Martinez came through with another run-scoring, two-out blow to give the Swing their fourth consecutive win.

Quad Cities (24-28) improves to 4-4 in extra-inning games, scoring three of their four runs with two outs. West Michigan (32-20) has now lost two in a row after having a six-game winning streak snapped Thursday.

With a 3-2 lead, two outs, and nobody aboard in the ninth inning, Orlando Perdomo was poised to nail down his 15th save of the season in 16 chances for the Whitecaps. But Roth had other ideas, turning on a first-pitch fastball to hammer his league-leading 12th home run of the year. It was his first longball since May 10, raising his batting average to .309.

Tied at three in the top of the eleventh inning, Casey Rowlett started the game-winning rally with a line-drive single to left. He stole second on a pitch that struck out Colby Rasmus, allowing West Michigan's Ricky Steik to intentionally walk Roth with first base open. With two outs and men on first and second Martinez stood tall under pressure, driving a liner up the middle that allowed Rowlett to score from second as the throw home came in up the first base line. The Swing captured their first lead of the ballgame, 4-3.

Brian Stitt came on for the bottom of the eleventh, bouncing back from a line drive single that ricocheted off his right arm to nail down his sixth save of the season. After failing to hold down a save on Monday for the first time in 2006, the righthander has registered saves in each of Quad Cities' last three games.

The game was scoreless through three innings of play when West Michigan won the race to the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth. Justin Justice led off with a bunt single and stole second. Dusty Ryan then sent a hot smash wide of the shortstop, but Jose Martinez snagged the short hop on the dive and threw out Justice at third base from his knees. The fielder's choice could not quell the rally, however, as a single and a walk followed to load the bases. Will Rhymes then lifted a sacrifice fly into center field that brought home Ryan for a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the sixth, Adam Rodgers and the Swing got even. With a 1-0 count, the first baseman out of Rice University turned on a pitch and creamed his second home run of the year beyond the party deck and out of the ballpark in left field. The bomb momentarily tied the game, 1-1.

The Whitecaps went right back to work in the bottom of the inning, however, as Justice again got the rally started by drawing a four-pitch walk. Ryan followed with a single and Mark Haske bunted for a base hit on an attempted sacrifice, loading the bases with nobody out. A groundout and a sacrifice fly ensued to score a pair of runs, giving the Whitecaps a 3-1 advantage.

Quad Cities began their comeback in the seventh, adding a run with a two-out rally. Roth got it started with a double down the left field line, and came home on Bryan Anderson's single to pull the Swing to within 3-2.

Scott Vander Weg (2-1) was awarded the win after working the tenth inning. Starter Kyle Sadlowski did not figure into the decision despite a quality start, yielding three runs on seven hits in six innings with two strikeouts and two walks.

Steik (2-3) took the loss for West Michigan, well after starter Luke French had been removed from the game. The southpaw was strong through seven innings, allowing two runs on six hits while fanning seven without issuing a walk.

Martinez turned in two defensive gems in the ballgame. After cutting down Justice in the fourth inning play, the 20-year-old from Venezuela made a diving catch in foul territory to end Matt Joyce's at-bat in the fifth inning. Martinez started the game at shortstop for the eighth time this season, and has made 19 starts at second base.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will continue their series with the West Michigan Whitecaps Saturday night, as RHP Cory Meacham (3-3, 3.95) is slated to take the mound against RHP Josh Rainwater (1-0, 3.68) in the spot start. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. CDT, with coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 beginning at 5:45 p.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will return to John O'Donnell Stadium for a four-game series with Cedar Rapids from June 6-9.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Tuesday, June 6 will be Thrivent Financial Night at the ballpark featuring post-game fireworks courtesy of KWQC. Come out on Wednesday, June 7 and play SWINGO for your chance to win PRIZES, PRIZES, AND MORE PRIZES! Thursday, June 8 will be a Pluckers/97 Rock Thirsty Thursday, while the Swing welcome in the Moline Blackhawks. Stick around after the game on Boy Scout Night, Friday, June 9, and enjoy KWQC/Q106.5/Boy Scouts fireworks.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 2, 2006


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