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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Missed chances cost Swing

September 4, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Southwest Michigan Devil Rays manufactured four runs on Sunday afternoon as they defeated the Swing of the Quad Cities, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at C.O. Brown Stadium. One start after an eight-inning, one-run complete game loss, righty Nick Webber allowed only two runs in seven innings but lost for the fourth time in five Swing starts.

With one game to play, the Swing (36-33, 72-66) have lost five of six and have still not qualified for the playoffs. The Swing will qualify for the playoffs if either the Beloit Snappers or the Kane County Cougars lose on Sunday or Monday. Keep your browser locked on swingbaseball.com for updates.

The Swing took their first lead of the series in the top half of the second inning, manufacturing a single run. Mike Ferris lined a double into right-center, and then Juan Lucena bunted him to third. Chris Patrick bounced out to short to score Ferris for the game's first run.

The Devil Rays struck back to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning. Fernando Perez drew a four-pitch walk to open the inning, and then Reid Brignac drove him home with a double to left-center. A bounceout from Patrick Breen moved Brignanc to third, and he scored on on Chris Nowak's sacrifice fly.

The Swing had opportunities over the middle and late part of the game, but could not push across another run. Quad Cities used an error and a walk to place men at the corners with nobody out in the fifth inning, but Jino Gonzalez struck out Cody Palmer, Matt Lemanczyk and Sean Danielson to end that threat. Matt Shepherd drew a one-out walk in the seventh inning, but the Rays turned a double play on a Casey Rowlett bouncer to end that threat. The Swing again put men at the corners, this time with one out, in the eighth inning. But Nick Stavinoha's popup to left was too shallow to score Palmer from third, and Mike Ferris grounded sharply to second for the final out of the inning.

The Devil Rays put the game out of reach in the top of the eighth inning. Perez drew a walk and stole second base, then moved to third on a flyout. After an intentional walk, a wild pitch and a two-out single score Perez and then Patrickl Breen for a 4-1 Rays advantage.

The Swing again landed a pair of two-out baserunners in the top of the ninth, but Palmer popped to center to end the contest.

Webber allowed only two runs on five hits in seven innings as he picked up the loss. On Tuesday, he was outdueled, 1-0, by the Kernels' Fernando Rodriguez, while Southwest Michigan's Jino Gonzalez struck out a season-best seven in six innings to pick up the win on Sunday afternoon. In Webber's five starts, the Swing have averaged just 2.40 runs of support.

UP NEXT: The Swing continue their quest for the playoffs with the final regular season game against the D-Rays on Monday afternoon. The Swing send Matt Scherer (9-8, 3.98) to the hill against Eddie de la Cruz First pitch is scheduled for 1:05, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 12:50.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Swing will close out the 2005 regular season with a road trip through Cedar Rapids and Southwest Michigan. If they hold on to their current position they will qualify for postseason play, which would begin with a home game at John O'Donnell Stadium on Wednesday, September 7. For more information, keep posted at www.swingbaseball.com . Season-ticket packages and 2005 playoff tickets are available for the 2006 season by calling the Swing at (563) 328-2000.

PROMOTION: The Swing will honor participants in the United Way's Day of Caring at their first playoff game, Wednesday, September 7. In addition, it will be a 97 Rock Beverage Night, with discounted drinks available from when the gates open at 6:00 until 8:30.




Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2005


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