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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Relief problems sting Swing

August 17, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities got seven innings of tremendous pitching on Wednesday night, but eighth inning control problems were enough to send them to their second straight loss, 4-3, at the hands of the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field. The Swing have lost four of their last five games, managing only 12 runs and 27 hits during that stretch.

Because both Burlington and Kane County were winners on Wednesday, the Swing (30-22, 65-55) maintain a two-game lead over both teams in the playoff chase. With 19 games remaining in the second half, the Swing's magic number to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2002 remains at 16.

The Swing jumped out to the lead with two runs before the fans had a chance to settle in. Matt Lemanczyk singled to center to open the game, and he moved to third on a Matt Shepherd single into right. Nick Stavinoha knocked home the game's first run with a sacrifice fly to right field. With Shepherd still at first base, Juan Lucena lined sharply towards second. The shot caromed off the glove of second baseman Steve Tolleson, allowing Shepherd to move all the way to third base. Quad Cities took the lead when Shepherd sprinted home on an attempted double steal with Lucena, scoring when Snappers catcher Javi Sanchez dropped the return throw.

The Snappers (27-26, 60-63) put their first run on the board in the bottom of the second inning, when Trevor Plouffe led off with a solo homer to left. The home run was the first surrendered by Swing starter Mark McCormick, a stretch of 29.2 homerless innings to start his pro career.

Snappers starter Kevin Slowey recorded three straight 1-2-3 innings, striking out the side in the fifth inning, before the Swing broke through again in the sixth. Matt Lemanczyk rapped a base hit into center to open the inning, stole second base, and moved to third on a flyball to right from Stavinoha. With two strikes and two outs, Mike Ferris lined a base hit to center, giving the Swing an insurance run and a 3-1 lead.

After Jason Cairns was highly-effective in working a scoreless sixth and seventh inning, the Swing bullpen struggled in the eighth. Cory Meacham managed one out but walked one and surrendered two singles to load the bases for Bo Dickerson. With a 3-1 lead, Dickerson hit Johnny Woodard with a pitch before walking Sanchez and Tolleson to give the Snappers their first lead of the night. Shepherd turned an athletic inning-ending double play with the bases loaded to keep the Swing within striking distance.

Lucena came up with a one-out single against reliever JP Martinez in the top of the ninth, but Martinez struck out Eric Verbryke and Jake Mullinax to close it out.

McCormick was highly effective over five innings, allowing just one run on four base hits. A strikeout pitcher who has struggled with control over his previous three starts, the supplemental first-round pick out of Baylor struck out two and walked two. He consistently worked out of trouble in the early innings, stranding two men in scoring position in both the second and third frames.

For the second straight night, the Snappers struck out 12 Swing players. Slowey fanned seven in six innings, while winning pitcher David Shinskie struck out three in two scoreless frames before Martinez K'ed the final two men of the night.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Snappers close out the series on Thursday night, when the Swing send second-round pick Nick Webber (0-1, 4.50) to the hill against Kyle Waldrop (5-11, 5.27), a first-round pick of the Twins in 2004. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 to begin at 6:45.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND: The Swing begin their final homestand of the season against Peoria on Friday, August 19, with a 5:00 doubleheader against the Peoria Chiefs. Promotions during the homestand include three fireworks nights, a family fun day, the season's final Hooters/97 Rock Beverage Night, keep Scott County beautiful night, a Swing lunch box giveaway, and Fan Appreciation Day on the final home game of the year. For more information, or tickets, log onto www.swingbaseball.com. Tickets are also available for all Swing games by calling (563) 328-2000.

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Midwest League Stories from August 17, 2005


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