MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Offensive fireworks key Swing's 14-3 blowout win

Published on July 4, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Phillips has three runs, four RBI in victory; Blackburn goes six frames to pick up victory

The Swing of the Quad Cities scored at least one run in each of the first five innings on Sunday night as they cruised to a 14-3 victory over the Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Field. Every single Swing starter either scored or drove in a run as Quad Cities won for the fourth straight time to take sole possession of second place in the MWL-West. With the win the Swing (40-37, 7-4) moved to three games above .500 for the first time since the 2002 season.

The Swing scored their first nine runs of the game over the first three innings, all after two outs were recorded. In the first frame, Kyle Phillips pounded a single into center field to bring home JR Taylor, who opened the game with a single. After a Dusty Gomon walk, Omar Burgos came up with an RBI single. Josh Johnson capped the rally with a bases-clearing double to put the Swing up, 4-0.

Quad Cities added three more runs in the top of the second inning. Mark Zamojc had a two-out double, and Brock Peterson followed by drawing a walk. The next man up, lefty Kyle Phillips, ripped a 1-0 fastball over the wall in right field, incrasing the Swing's lead to 7-0 with his seventh homer of the year.

Dayton starter David Shafer allowed seven runs in two innings before giving way to Dirt Ursin, who lasted only 1.1 frames. In the third, the Swing pushed two more runs across the board to extend the lead to 9-0. Ryan Spataro had an RBI single to score Paul Rutgers, who had walked, and Taylor's double scored Spataro.

The Swing added four more runs against Ursin in the fourth inning, getting helped along by five walks in the inning. Burgos and Rutgers each drew bases-full walks to score a run, and Spataro and Taylor each added RBI in the inning.

Quad Cities added their final run in the top of the fifth frame, when Gomon's single plated Peterson, who had doubled.

Nick Blackburn went six innings, allowing only an unearned run, for the win. The Swing righty struck out four and walked two, and has allowed only two earned runs in 18 second-half innings of work. With the outing, Blackburn drops his ERA to 2.60, good for a spot in the Midwest League's top ten.

Billy Mauer allowed two unearned runs over two innings, while TJ Prunty closed it out for the Swing, striking out one in a perfect ninth.

Swing catcher Josh Johnson made his first professional appearance in left field for the Swing. He handled his two chances without a problem, and also had a two-run double at the plate.

The Swing were finally shut down over the last four innings. Screwballing reliever Carlos Guevara worked the sixth inning, while righty Elvin Beltre pitched the final three frames. Beltre, an outfielder who pitched in the Mets system in 2004, allowed only one hit and struck out two.

UP NEXT: The Swing continue their eight-game road trip at Dayton Monday afternoon, as Chris Schutt (3-5, 3.71) starts against Justin Gillman (0-2, 9.15). First pitch is scheduled for 1:00, and pregame coverage on Great Country 105 begins at 12:45.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Swing return to John O'Donnell Stadium on Wednesday, July 14, to take on the Cougars. It will be a 97 Rock Beverage Night, sponsored by Hooters and the River Cities Reader. Live music will begin on the party deck at 5:30, and discounted drinks will continue until 8:30. Following the game, a ticket stub from that night's game will be good for 20% off food at Hooters on Wednesday night.

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Midwest League Stories from July 4, 2004


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