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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Rattlers come back, topple Swing

July 14, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Wisconsin Timber Rattlers snuffed out a pair of late Swing rallies with timely pitching and defense as the Swing were defeated, 4-3, on Thursday night at Fox Cities season. The two teams have split their first 16 meetings of the season, and close out the season series with the rubber match of the three-game set on Friday at Fox Cities Stadium.

After the Swing (14-7, 50-40) jumped out to a 3-0 lead, the Rattlers chipped away with single runs in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Wisconsin took their first lead of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, breaking the tie thanks to a pair of walks issued by Dennis Medina - only his third and fourth of the season - and an RBI single to center from Oswaldo Navarro.

Quad Cities mounted a threat in the top of the eighth inning, as they loaded the bases when Nick Stavinoha walked, Chris Patrick was hit by a pitch, and Mike Ferris walked. But reliever Steve Grasley struck out Calvin Hayes with a hard slider to the outside part of the plate, ending the Swing's threat.

Matt Lemanczyk opened the ninth inning by drawing a walk against Grasley, and was at first when Rick Ankiel drilled a double off the top of the 20-foot-high wall 400 feet away in straightaway center. But the Rattlers executed a smooth relay play, as centerfielder Chris Colton fired to shortstop Matt Tuiasosopo, who threw plateward. Catcher Rob Johnson handled the throw, then tagged the sliding Lemanczyk for the second out of the inning, drawing the protest of the Swing speedster. Stavinoha chopped out to the pitcher for the final out of the game.

Grasley (7-0) went 3.1 innings to pick up the win. In 45 career relief appeaerances, the former non-drafted free agent out of Creighton is 11-0.

Medina (1-1) allowed only his third earned run of the season for the Swing, allowing one hit and two walks in the seventh inning as he picked up the loss. Mike Sillman got two outs without allowing a run in the seventh inning, while Bo Dickerson struck out one in 1.1 scoreless innings of relief. Dickerson has not allowed a run over his last five outings for Quad Cities.

Lemanczyk led off the game with a solo home run, a towering fly ball over the 16-foot wall in left field. The blast marked the first time this season a Swing player has led off a game with a home run. The blast was the fifth of the season for Lemanczyk, who had three home runs in 1,000 at-bats over his first three pro seasons, but has hit five for the Swing since June 7.

Quad Cities scored twice more in the second inning. Eric Verbryke drew a leadoff walk, Patrick followed with a groundball single into left, and Spencer Wyman hit a soft liner for a single to load the bases. Ferris then drilled a high fly ball off the wall in left-center, scoring both Verbryke and Patrick for a 3-0 Swing lead.

The Rattlers fought back to tie it up, scoring an unearned run in the second, adding a run in the fourth, and tying it up on Brandon Green's line drive over a drawn-in Swing infield in the fifth.

Michael Cooper performed well in his Midwest League debut for the Swing, allowing three runs (two earned) in five innings of work. Cooper struck out three and walked two while picking up his first no-decision in five professional outings; the 17th-round pick had gone 1-3 despite a 1.64 ERA in his debut for short-season New Jersey.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Timber Rattlers close out the series on Friday night, when Quad Cities sends Tyler Adamczyk (1-3, 11.07) to the mound against Aaron Jensen (5-8, 5.38). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 6:50.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND: The Swing begin an eight-game homestand on Thursday, July 21. The homestand will include a fireworks show on Friday, July 22, a Johan Santana bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, July 23, and several other promotions throughout Tickets are available for all Swing games by calling (563) 328-2000.

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