MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Late Swing rally falls short

Published on April 16, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities rallied from a three-run deficit to bring the tying run to the plate in the top of the ninth inning, but could not push the crucial runs across as they fell, 8-5, to the Burlington Bees on Friday night at Community Field. The Bees had struggled offensively all season long, but pounded out a season-high 10 hits on their way to a season-high eight runs scored.

The Bees took advantage of Swing defensive struggles to take an early lead. With one away, Walter Sevilla hit a bouncer up the middle. Starting pitcher Errol Simonitsch handled the chopper, but first baseman Dusty Gomon missed his throw, losing it in the setting sun, and Sevilla took second base. Sevilla then swiped third, and scored when Kyle Phillips' throw skipped past Ben Pattee.

The Swing tied the game and then took the lead in the top of the fourth frame. Denard Span opened the frame with a bunt single, and Alex Garcia drilled a triple that one-hopped the wall in right-center. Two batters later, Brock Peterson hit a sacrifice fly to score Garcia, for a 2-1 Quad Cities lead.

But the Bees touched up Simonitsch for a run in the bottom of the fourth, knotting the game at 2-2 on a two-out RBI single from Adam Donachie. Brian Foster followed with a hit, but Ryan Spataro threw out Donachie trying to score from second to end the inning.

Burlington then added to the lead in the fifth inning, scoring two runs, one earned, against Simonitsch. The inning started with a walk and an error, before Simonitsch was replaced by Jon Uhl. Uhl was greeted with an Angel Sanchez RBI single, and Bryan Graham also had an RBI single in the inning as the Bees took a 4-2 lead.

Burlington broke the game over in the bottom of the sixth, pushing four runs across to put the game out of reach. After Uhl got a strikeout to open the inning, four straight Bees reached base. Jeff Barry, Sanchez, Sevilla and Graham all drove in runs in the inning.

The Swing rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth. Kyle Phillips doubled, and Brock Peterson followed with a single. Mark Zamocj reached on an error to score a run, and Spataro drove in another with a hustling double. After Span reached on an infield single, new pitcher John Gragg struck out Garcia to close it out.

Simonitsch got the loss, allowing four runs (two earned) in four innings of work. Jon Uhl was charged with four runs allowed, while Peter Tautor hurled a scoreless eighth.

UP NEXT: The Swing continue their four-game series at Burlington, as Quad Cities sends Adam Harben (0-0, 0.00) to the mound against lefty Dusty Hughes (1-0, 0.00), who threw the first eight innings of a no-hitter his last time out. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., and radio coverage on Great Country 105 (KBOB, 104.9 FM) will begin at 6:45 p.m.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Swing open a completely-renovated John O'Donnell Stadium on Thursday, April 29, at 7:00, against the Burlington Bees. Tickets are available for Opening Day by calling (563) 324-3000.

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Midwest League Stories from April 16, 2004


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