MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Pitching dominates as Swing lose nailbiter

Published on May 26, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Pitching was the story for the second consecutive night at John O'Donnell Stadium on Friday, as a late comeback by the Swing of the Quad Cities fell short in a 3-2 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Swing starter Mark McCormick set a career-high with 10 strikeouts in only five innings of work but fell to the Kernels' Stephen Marek, who carried a shutout into the eighth inning before being chased from the game.

Quad Cities (19-26) set a season-high with 15 strikeouts by the pitching staff, as Ashley Hooks fanned one and Matt Trent checked in with four in two innings to add to McCormick's total. Cedar Rapids (21-27) snapped a five game losing streak with the win, as their starting pitchers have combined to allow three runs in 15.2 innings through the first two games of the series.

The Swing trailed 3-0 heading into the bottom of the eighth. With two outs and Adam Rodgers on first Jose Martinez singled into left, taking second base when Rodgers beat the throw into third. That was enough to chase Marek from the game, as Kernels' skipper Bobby Magallanes went to his closer early. Ryan Aldridge was promptly greeted with a bang by Daniel Nelson, as the 22-year-old infielder lined a single into right - his third hit of the game - to plate two runs and bring Quad Cities to within 3-2.

But that was all the Swing would get. Colby Rasmus went down swinging to end the eighth inning and strand Nelson in scoring position, and Aldridge set down the side in order in the bottom of the ninth for his eighth save of the year.

It was a Jekyll-and-Hyde performance from McCormick (1-4), who walked three, hit two, and allowed two runs through his first two innings of work. He rebounded in a big way from there, as the Baylor product held Cedar Rapids without a hit after the first inning. McCormick struck out six of seven batters at one point, including four in a row to reach a double-digit strikeout total for the first time in his career. In all, the 43rd overall pick in the 2005 draft allowed two runs on two hits, four walks, and two hit batters in five innings. His 10 punchouts are the most by a Swing pitcher in a single game so far this year.

McCormick was bested by Stephen Marek (5-1), though, who carried a shutout into the eighth inning before giving way to Aldridge. The 22-year-old Kernels' righthander allowed two runs on six hits in 7.2 innings of work, striking out two without issuing a walk and keeping his pitch count low all game long.

Cedar Rapids won the race to reach the scoreboard first Friday night, aided by a pair of McCormick walks to the first two batters of the game. After a strikeout, Dallas Morris came up with bouncing ball up the middle for a run-scoring single. One batter later Stantrel Smith reached out on an 0-2 pitch and blooped it into right field, putting the Kernels out in front, 2-0.

Cedar Rapids added what turned out to be a critical insurance run in the seventh inning. Hainley Statia doubled with two outs, and came around to score on a triple by Brad Coon for the 3-0 advantage.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will host the Cedar Rapids Kernels for game three of the four-game series on Saturday night, as RHP Kyle Sadlowski (2-1, 4.09) will take the mound against RHP Moose Mosebach (3-2, 3.16). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 beginning at 6:45 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: A busy homestand will conclude with a baseball cap giveaway (Mountain Dew, 97 Rock, Fox-18) on Saturday and another Mix 96 Family Fun Day on Sunday - also Scott County YMCA's day at the ballpark with post-game fireworks sponsored in part by KWQC, KUUL, and WOC.

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Midwest League Stories from May 26, 2006


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