MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing cannot come back from 6-2 deficit

Published on June 28, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities could not complete their first series sweep of the 2006 season Wednesday night, losing to the Clinton LumberKings at Alliant Energy Field, 7-5. Kyle Sadlowski was roughed up for six runs on 10 hits, giving up two home runs in 3.2 innings while suffering his second loss in a row to drop to 4-3 on the year.

Quad Cities (4-3, 38-37) failed in their bid to improve to three games over .500 for the first time this year, but were able to take two of three from the LumberKings in what will be the only meeting between the two teams at Alliant Energy Field this season. Clinton (4-3, 27-49) was able to avoid the sweep, as the in-state rivals have split their first 10 contests of 2006 right down the middle.

After collecting 11 hits in four innings against Zach Phillips the first time they faced him on May 22, the Swing jumped on the southpaw in the second inning Wednesday.

Three consecutive hits opened up the frame as Bryan Anderson singled, Chad Gabriel doubled him to third, and each runner moved up 90 feet on a base hit through the left side by Jose Martinez. Casey Rowlett's fielder's choice groundout forced Martinez at second, but Gabriel came home and the Swing led by a pair.

For the third straight night, though, Clinton fought back. John Whittleman led off the bottom of the second with a solo home run to right field, and Joe Kemp singled and stole second. That is where he stood when Ben Crabtree flew out to deep right, but after tagging up from second Kemp never stopped as he rounded third, racing all the way home to complete an unusual sacrifice fly and tie the game at two.

Over the next two innings, the LumberKings turned up the heat on Sadlowski. Terry Blunt drew a one-out walk in the third, and was able to score and break the tie on a single by Whittleman later in the frame.

In the fourth it was Crabtree blasting a homer to left with one away. Matt Smith followed with a single and moved to third on a two-out knock by Blunt. John Mayberry then grounded a single up the middle to plate Smith for a 6-2 lead, chasing Sadlowski from the game for good.

Quad Cities rallied in the top of the fifth to pull within one. Trailing by four, Shane Robinson drew a one-out walk and moved to third on a single by Daniel Nelson. Colby Rasmus lined a base hit up the middle to plate Robinson, and a bloop single to right-center from Randy Roth loaded the bases. Anderson drew a walk to force in one run, and manager Andy Fox pulled his starter in favor of reliever Josh Giles. Down two runs with the bases loaded and Gabriel at the plate, the Swing watched Giles skip a wild slider to the backstop. As Rasmus raced home to score, a throw to the plate bounced off the baserunner. Roth tried to take advantage of the carom and come around to tie the game, but the catcher Crabtree picked up the loose ball and fired to the plate to cut down a critical run. Though the Swing plated three on the inning, they still trailed 6-5 and were unable to pull any closer.

Thanks to a two-out error, Clinton tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the seventh to put the finishing touches on their 7-5 win.

Phillips (3-5) took the win despite a rough outing, allowing five runs on eight hits in 4.1 innings of work. The LumberKings' bullpen was stellar, as Josh Giles allowed just one hit in 2.2 frames before Jose Marte snagged his fourth save of the year with two perfect innings at the end.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will head to South Bend to start a four-game series with the Silver Hawks Thursday, as RHP Cory Meacham (6-5, 2.95) takes the hill opposite RHP Cody Evans (4-7, 3.46). First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 5:45 p.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will return to JOD for a four-game set with the Fort Wayne Wizards beginning on Monday, July 3.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The game on Monday, July 3, will feature an extravagant fireworks blowout as part of the Red, White, and BOOM celebration (KWQC/Q106.5/The District/Davenport One). There will also be fireworks on Tuesday, July 4 (KWQC/KUUL).

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Midwest League Stories from June 28, 2006


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