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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Stavinoha's home run seals Swing win

September 1, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities jumped on top of the Kernels early and never looked back as they rapped out 14 hits on their way to an 8-4 victory over Cedar Rapids on Thursday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Swing's 14 hits raised their season total to 1,224, breaking the franchise record of 1,218 set by the 2001 River Bandits, who were led by Justin Morneau. Matt Shepherd had the record-breaking hit with an infield single in the top of the sixth inning.

Because Kane County lost at Southwest Michigan and Beloit toppled Peoria at home, the Swing (36-30, 72-62) maintain a two-game lead over both clubs heading into the final weekend of the season. The Kernels (33-33, 63-73) are three games out of the chase. With four games to play, the Swing boast a magic number of two to qualify for the playoffs for the first time since 2001.

The Swing jumped out to the lead immediately, as the first four men reach base on the way to a three-run lead. Matt Lemanczyk singled into center to open the game, then advanced on a wild pitch. Sean Danielson dragged a bunt single to the first base side, and Nick Stavinoha scored Lemanczyk with a single into left. Mike Ferris then drilled a gap-splitting double to right, scoring both runners for a 3-0 Swing lead.

The Kernels broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning. Nate Sutton doubled into center, and then Michael Collins grounded a sharp single into right. Drew Toussaint scooped a line drive single into left to score Sutton, slicing the Swing's lead to 3-1. Josh LeBlanc added a sacrifice fly later in the inning, to cut the Swing's lead to 3-2.

Quad Cities pulled away in the top of the seventh inning. Casey Rowlett started with an infield single, and then Danielson had a one-out base hit. Stavinoha followed with a three-run homer to left field, a line drive that kept on carrying for a 6-2 Swing lead. The blast was the 14th of the season for Stavinoha, who ranked fifth in the Midwest League with a .361 batting average during August while leading in home runs (9) and RBI (25).

The Swing added two more runs in the top of the ninth inning. Lemanczyk drew a one-out walk, and then Danielson hit a towering RBI triple to right-center. Danielson scampered home when the relay throw was wild from right, officially a triple and a one-base error.

The Kernels tallied a pair of unearned runs against Jaymie Torres in the bottom of the ninth, but Torres coaxed a soft bounceout from Sutton to end the ballgame.

Phillip Andersen earned the win for the Swing, allowing two runs in 5.1 innings of work. The righthander struck out four batters while walking only one. Andersen is not scheduled to make any more starts this season, and finishes the 2005 regular season at 5-1 with a 2.96 ERA. After allowing two earned runs to lose his Swing debut on June 1, the righty from Chandler, Arizona, has not lost over his last 15 appearances.

Matt Trent worked 1.2 strong innings for Quad Cities before Torres closed it out.

Nick Green got the loss for the Kernels, allowing six runs in 6.1 innings. Green had not lost in his previous six starts, posting a 1.80 ERA over that time.

UP NEXT: The Swing continue their quest for the playoffs as they begin a four-game series at Southwest Michigan on Friday night. The Swing will send Michael Cooper (1-3, 6.04) to the hill against Jarrad Lavergne (6-9, 4.37). First pitch is scheduled for 6:05, and exclusive internet-only coverage at swingbaseball.com will begin at 5:50.

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Midwest League Stories from September 1, 2005


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