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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing bats even series

April 11, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Heart of the order propels Quad Cities to 8-3 win

The Swing of the Quad Cities won their first home game in 2006, coming back from an early 3-1 deficit to defeat the Clinton LumberKings, 8-3, at John O'Donnell Stadium on Tuesday night. The win evened the three-game series at one win apiece, bringing the Swing record up to 3-3.

Quad Cities jumped out to an early lead, rallying for four singles in the bottom of the first inning. Casey Rowlett's knock with the bases loaded and two outs brought Daniel Nelson home for a 1-0 lead, but the inning came to an end when Randy Roth was cut down by Joe Kemp at the plate trying to score from second.

In the top of the second, Clinton rallied to take the lead. Truan Mehl and K.C. Herrer led off the frame with back-to-back doubles, and both came home to score and give the LumberKings a 2-1 lead. One inning later Herren was at it again, driving in Kemp with an RBI double.

Down 3-1, the Swing came back with authority. Randy Roth and Adam Rodgers walked to open up the bottom of the third, and A.J. Van Slyke followed with an RBI double. Two outs later Calvin Hayes came to the plate with the bases loaded. Though the Swing had stranded 13 runners over the previous 11 innings, Hayes came through with a two-out, two-run single up the middle that gave Quad Cities a 4-3 advantage.

After adding an unearned run in the fourth, the Swing put the game out of reach in the bottom of the sixth. As the skies began to open up, Clinton reliever Cain Byrd walked Nelson and Colby Rasmus with nobody out. The rains began to subside, however, and with one out Rodgers turned on the first pitch he saw, slugging a three-run bomb to the top of the berm in left field to give the Swing the decisive 8-3 lead.

The heart of the order was dominant for the Swing, as Roth, Rodgers, and Van Slyke combined to go 5-for-13 with five runs scored and five driven in.

Manager Keith Mitchell also experimented with a reshuffling of the infield defense in response to nine team errors over the first five team games. The combination of Roth at first, Hayes at second, Rowlett at short, and Nelson at third paid off, as the defense was solid throughout. Roth twice made diving stops to rob his counterpart, Freddie Thon, of a pair of potential hits.

Cory Meacham (1-1) picked up the win, giving up three runs on five hits in six innings. The righthander from Deatsville, Alabama finished strong, throwing 16 straight strikes at one point and shutting out the LumberKings over his final three innings of work.

For Clinton it was Michael Kirkman (0-1) saddled with the loss. The 19-year-old lefthander lasted only 3.2 innings, allowing five runs - four earned - on eight hits and four walks.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities and the Clinton LumberKings finish off their three-game series on Wednesday night, as the Swing send RHP Phillip Andersen (0-1, 10.38) to the hill against RHP Kyle Rogers (0-1, 5.40). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30, and pre-game coverage on WKBF AM-1270 will begin at 6:15.

PROMOTION: Wednesday's contest will include a farewell to Wednesday Night Beverage Nights, sponsored by 97 Rock and Pluckers, with half-price drink specials starting when the gates open and lasting until 8:00 p.m. For the rest of the season, drink specials will be available on 97 Rock/Pluckers Thirsty Thursdays. Tickets are available to all 2006 home games, as well as the Midwest League All-Star Game, by calling the Swing ticket office at (563) 328-2000.

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Midwest League Stories from April 11, 2006


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