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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing bats silent

July 5, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities had very few offensive chances - and the West Michigan Whitecaps snuffed them out by turning three double plays - as the Swing were defeated, 5-1, by the Whitecaps on Tuesday night at John O'Donnell Stadium. Matt Lemanczyk provided the bulk of the offense for the Swing, collecting two of Quad Cities' 6 base hits and scoring the only Swing run.

Over the final eight innings, the Swing (9-4, 45-37) put a man on base with less the two outs four times. On three of those occasions, the Swing rally was undone by twin killings. After Lemanczyk singled in the sixth inning, he was off and running on a 1-0 pitch to Juan Lucena. When Lucena popped the ball up to right field, however, Lemanczyk could not locate it in time, and was doubled up at first base. In the seventh inning, with a man in scoring position for only the second time all night, Matt Shepherd came to the plate. But with men on first and second, his groundball to short went 6-4-3 and ended yet another fruitless frame.

After getting knocked around Monday night, the Whitecaps (8-5, 41-42) came out swinging in the first inning on Tuesday. With one out West Michigan reeled off six consecutive base hits, sparked by a Nick McIntyre home run. When the hit parade came to a close, they had put up four runs on six hits to take the early 4-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the opening frame, Matt Lemanczyk ripped a 1-1 pitch to left-center that went as a leadoff triple. Two batters later, Eric Verbryke's groundout to short brought Lemanczyk home to pull the Swing to within 4-1.

Brian Miller pitched extremely well in relief for the Swing. After starter Quinton Robertson lasted only 2.2 innings, Miller came on with the bases loaded and two outs. The Swing righty coaxed a lazy flyout from Brooks Colvin to end the inning, and then promptly retired the next nine men in a row. Miller had just one blemish on an outstanding appearance, a second home run from McIntyre in the top of the seventh. For the night, Miller lasted 4.1 innings - the longest outing of the season for a Swing reliever - striking out a personal season-best five men.

Robertson (1-2) lasted just 2.2 innings in picking up the loss for the Swing. Robertson allowed four runs on nine hits in the spot start, and left the game after walking the bases loaded with two outs in the third.

For West Michigan, Josh Rainwater (2-3) picked up the win in an impressive eight innings. The righty allowed only the first inning run, striking out five while walking three and scattering six hits.

The Swing played the game without their manager, Joe Cunningham, who had to leave the ballpark before game time. Cunningham left the team to travel to Missouri to care for his ill father, former St. Louis Cardinals' all-star Joe Cunningham, Jr.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Whitecaps will face off for game three of the set Wednesday night, with RHP Matt Scherer (4-5, 3.82) making the start against RHP Andrew Kown (4-6, 4.45). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 6:45.

PROMOTIONS: Wednesday night will be Harry Potter Night at John O'Donnell Stadium, as well as a Hooters/97 Rock Beverage Night. On Thursday the day game will take place at a special Noon starting time, as area campers and daycare centers will root on the Swing.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from July 5, 2005


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