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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

McCormick powers Swing to first victory

April 8, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities captured their first victory of the 2006 season on Saturday afternoon at Elfstrom Stadium, shutting out the Kane County Cougars, 4-0. Starting pitcher Mark McCormick established the tempo early, striking out four in a row at one point, as the Cougars could only muster two hits all game long.

With the win Quad Cities improves to 1-2, while Kane County drops to 2-1.

After walking leadoff hitter Mike Massaro to start the game, McCormick (1-0) found his groove. Catcher Bryan Anderson, making his first start of the season at only 19 years old, cut down Massaro trying to steal second, and McCormick promptly struck out the next two batters to retire the side. After inducing a groundout to open the second inning, the hard-throwing righthander out of Baylor reeled off four straight punchouts to give him six total through three innings.

After going 1-2 with the Swing in 2005, McCormick tossed six shutout innings Saturday afternoon while allowing only one hit, striking out seven, and walking four.

Quad Cities took the lead in the third inning without benefit of a hit, as back-to-back walks opened up the inning. With the bases loaded Daniel Nelson grounded into a double play, and Anderson came home to give the Swing a 1-0 lead.

Anderson reached base in all four of his plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with a single, a double, a walk, and being hit by a pitch.

In the fourth, center fielder Colby Rasmus slapped a line drive into right-center to record his first hit in a Swing uniform. One batter later he was running when Adam Rodgers grounded to the shortstop. Although Rodgers was thrown out at first, Rasmus was able to beat the shortstop Justin Sellers to second base to avoid the double play and keep the rally alive. Wes Swackhamer followed with a single to put men at the corners. Rasmus would come home on a wild pitch with Randy Roth at the plate, and moments later Roth swatted a fly ball to right field that bounced past a diving Jose Pineda and turned into an RBI triple. The Swing third baseman eventually came home to score, and the Swing took a decisive 4-0 advantage.

After McCormick left the ballgame, Jonathan Mikrut, Danny Borne, and Scott Vander Weg worked three combined scoreless innings of their own to preserve the shutout. Vander Weg earned the save, striking out one in 1.1 innings of work. Through 10.2 frames early in the season, all eight members of the Quad Cities bullpen have seen action, combining for nine strikeouts and a 0.84 ERA.

For the Cougars it was Jeff Gray (0-1) taking the loss, allowing four runs on three hits in 3.1 innings. The righthander struck out three and walked three.

UP NEXT: The Swing will look for the series-split at Kane County on Sunday afternoon, as they send LHP Adam Daniels (2-1, 4.50 2005) to the mound against RHP Craig Italiano (1-2, 6.75 in 2005). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00, and pre-game coverage on WKBF AM-1270 will begin at 1:45.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will open the home portion of the schedule at John O'Donnell Stadium on Monday, April 10, at 6:30 against the Clinton LumberKings. LHP Jaime Garcia, 19, will be on the mound making his professional debut for the Swing. Tickets are available to all 2006 home games, as well as the Midwest League All-Star Game, by calling the Swing ticket office at (563) 328-2000.

PROMOTION: Monday's game will feature a magnet schedule giveaway, as well as a season-long Q106.5 Dollar Mondays promotion that offers fans hot dogs, soda, and popcorn for only $1 each. Magnet schedules will also be given away before Tuesday's game, and Wednesday's contest will include a farewell to Wednesday Night Beverage Nights, sponsored by 97 Rock and Pluckers, with half-price drink specials starting when the gates open and lasting until 8:00 p.m. For the rest of the season, drink specials will be available on 97 Rock/Pluckers Thirsty Thursdays.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from April 8, 2006


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