MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

QC goes 5-3 on road trip with series win, takes over first place

Published on August 4, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities took punch after punch from the Lansing Lugnuts on Friday night at Oldsmobile Park, only to land a roundhouse right in the form of an eight-run 12th inning to pull out an 8-0 win in front of a crowd of 8,821. The win, combined with a doubleheader sweep by Southwest Michigan against Kane County, propels the Swing into sole possession of first place in the Midwest League's Western Division by a half-game over the Cougars.

Quad Cities (24-17, 58-51) had managed only five hits through the first 11 innings before collecting six in the 12th, sending 13 men to the plate in the decisive rally that gave the Swing three wins in the four-game set. Lansing (17-25, 57-52) put their leadoff hitter on base in each of the last four frames, but stranded 12 men on base in the loss.

The Lugnuts looked like they were ready to end things in the bottom of the 11th as an error and a double put men on second and third base with nobody out. After Anthony Garibaldi's fly out to right was not deep enough to score the run, Scott Vander Weg intentionally walked the next batter to load the bases. The pitcher had no room for error with the bags packed, one out, and a full count to Yuber Rodriguez, but he responded by blowing a fastball by the hitter for a crucial second out. When Jesus Gonzalez popped out to the first baseman in foul territory, the Swing dugout let out a collective sigh of relief as they prepared to reward Vander Weg with the victory.

With the game still scoreless in the top of the 12th Mark Hamilton singled to right on a low line drive, but when the ball skipped by the right fielder he raced all the way around to third base. After an infield groundout failed to score the runner, Lansing intentionally walked both Bryan Anderson and Daniel Nelson to bring up a right-handed hitter with one out and the bases loaded. But when Chad Gabriel was hit by a pitch, Hamilton trotted home for the game's first run. The hit parade was on from there, as Daryl Jones and Casey Rowlett each contributed two run singles, Hamilton added an RBI with a single, and Anderson eventually capped the rally with a two-run double that one-hopped the wall in right-center. In all, Quad Cities scored eight runs on six hits, two intentional walks, and two hit batsman to seize control of the contest with an 8-0 lead.

Vander Weg (8-2) picked up a well-deserved win after two scoreless innings, but all four Swing pitchers were instrumental in dodging trouble throughout the game. Matt Trent also contributed two innings without allowing a run, while Danny Borne came on to finish things off in the bottom of the 12th.

Starter Adam Daniels was brilliant again for the Swing despite failing to figure into the decision. The Canadian southpaw scattered seven hits over seven scoreless innings, striking out six while walking two. The reining Midwest League Pitcher of the Week has thrown 18.2 innings without giving up an earned run over his last three starts, and is 3-0 with a 0.34 ERA and 30 strikeouts over his last four starts (26.1 innings).

The game was scoreless in the bottom of the fifth inning when the Swing defense stepped up big to take care of the game's first serious scoring threat. Garibaldi was at second base for the Lugnuts with one out when Rodriguez slapped a line-drive single up the middle. But as Garibaldi raced around third base, center fielder Shane Robinson came up throwing and fired a strike to the plate. Anderson grabbed the ball from in front of the plate and applied the tag to cut down the baserunner, quieting the crowd and preserving the deadlock.

Lansing threatened again in each of the next two innings. Daniels was able to work around a leadoff double in the sixth, but the Lugnuts had men at first and second with two outs in the seventh when Jesus Gonzalez rolled a ball into the hole at shortstop. Tyler Greene fielded the ball and had no play, but Garibaldi rounded third base unaware of the situation. Greene fired behind the baserunner to Rowlett, and the third baseman chased Garibaldi down the line to apply the tag and get out of the inning.

The home team continued to apply the pressure in both the ninth and tenth innings. Trent walked the leadoff batter in the bottom of the ninth and gave up a one-out single to put men on first and second. The crowd was silenced, however, when Trent gloved an infield blooper for the second out and fanned Rodriguez swinging. After a leadoff single in the tenth, the Swing quelled another rally by forcing out the lead runner at first on an attempted sacrifice bunt.

Ted Serro (0-2) tossed three scoreless innings for the Lugnuts, but was saddled with the loss after coming out to try for his fourth full inning of work. He was tagged with all eight Swing runs and five of the six hits in the inning, giving up eight runs over seven hits in 3.1 frames on the night.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will return to Davenport on Saturday to kick off an eight-game homestand against the Clinton LumberKings. RHP Adam Ottavino (0-1, 4.70) will pitch the opener against RHP Kevin Altman (1-6, 4.58). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 6:45 p.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will return to Davenport on Saturday for an eight-game homestand that will last from August 5-13, as the Clinton LumberKings and West Michigan Whitecaps will each come to town for four games.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The next homestand will kickoff on Saturday as WQPT will bring Clifford the Big Red Dog to John O'Donnell Stadium and a fireworks display (KWQ/WQPT/B-100) will follow the game. Cardinals' pitcher Mark Mulder will pitch for the Swing in a rehab assignment on Sunday, which will also be the Optimists Youth Appreciation Day as well as a Mix 96 Family Fun Day. A Q106.5 $1 Monday comes your way on Monday. One day later Tasty Tuesday will come to JOD, as fans will have the opportunity to sample beers from area breweries and vote on their favorite. If you like free T-shirts, come to the ballpark early on Friday, August 11, to take advantage of an i-wireless/KWQC/River 104.9 giveaway. The best promotion of the bunch might be on Saturday, August 12, when the first 500 fans will receive baseballs autographed by past and present major leaguers as well as Swing players. A KWQC/WKBF fireworks show will follow the game. Bring your pups out to the homestand finale on Sunday, August 13, which will be Dog Day sponsored by Happy Dog Bakery as well as a Mix 96 Family Fun Day and DHCU Customer Appreciation Day.

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Midwest League Stories from August 4, 2006


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