MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing cruise back into first place

Published on July 9, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities erased an early deficit with a six-run fifth inning and never looked back as they pounded the Kane County Cougars, 10-2, on Thursday night at Elfstrom Stadium. With the victory, the Swing (10-5) moved back into sole possession of first place, one game ahead of the Cougars, and won for the sixth time in their last seven games.

Down 2-1, the Swing exploded for six runs in the top of the fifth inning, as the first seven men of the inning all reached for the Swing. After Scott Whitrock walked and Alex Garcia singled, Paul Rutgers tied the game with a single to right. JR Taylor followed with a double into the right field corner, scoring one more for a 3-2 Swing advantage.

With men at second and third, Justin Arneson a run-scoring chopper to the right side, and took first on an error by second baseman Brian Ingram. An errant throw on a pickoff attempt scored JR Taylor, and Arneson later came into score on a double play groundball. Kyle Geiger capped the rally with a double to straightaway center field, putting the Swing up 7-2.

The Swing added to the edge in the seventh, scoring three times after the first two men of the inning were retired. Brock Peterson singled into left to open the rally, and Mark Zamojc walked. After Geiger was hit by a pitch, Whitrock smacked a single to left to bring home two more men.

Quad Cities added an unearned run in the eighth frame, when Arneson came around on a Peterson grounder.

Errol Simonitsch worked six innings for the Swing, allowing only two runs (one earned) on three base hits to pick up the victory. Simonitsch struck out seven and walked two as he won his sixth straight decision for the Swing. The Quad Cities lefty hasn't lost since his second MWL start, April 16, a stretch of 14 appearances.

Eric Brandon worked two scoreless, hitless frames, striking out three for Quad Cities, and Billy Mauer closed it out with a perfect ninth.

The Swing scored first, as JR Taylor led off the game with a triple, and came home to score on a double play grounder from Kyle Phillips.

Kane County tied the game in the bottom of the third, when a grounder knocked in Kory Wayment, and they took the lead in the fourth, on Vasili Spanos' sacrifice fly.

UP NEXT: The Swing continue their eight-game road trip with the second game of a four-game series at the Kane County Cougars on Friday night, as Nick Blackburn (4-4, 2.60) goes to the hill against Steve Bonduraant (11-4, 2.58). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30, and Great Country 105's pregame coverage starts at 6:15.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Swing return to John O'Donnell Stadium on Wednesday, July 14, to take on the Kane County Cougars. It will be a 97 Rock Beverage Night, sponsored by Hooters and the River Cities Reader. Live music will begin on the party deck at 5:30, and discounted drinks will continue until 8:30. Following the game, a ticket stub from that night's game will be good for 20% off food at Hooters on Wednesday night.

HOOTIE AND THE BLOWFISH! Tickets for the August 13 HOOTIE & THE BLOWFISH concert at John O'Donnell Stadium are now on sale! Tickets can be purchased at the Swing box office, by clicking to www.swingbaseball.com, or by calling (563) 328-3000, or 1-866-MY-TICKET.

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Midwest League Stories from July 9, 2004


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