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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing cut down Cougars

July 30, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities scored six times in the first three innings and Nick Stavinoha threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the bottom of the ninth as the Swing of the Quad Cities held off the feisty Kane County Cougars, 7-6, on Saturday night at Elfstrom Stadium. One night after the Cougars scored a 13-inning come-from-behind win, the Swing came up with the final crucial defensive play to earn the victory. The Burlington Bees were victorious against Wisconsin on Saturday, so the Swing hold a one-game lead on the Bees with 34 games remaining in the second half.

The Swing (22-14, 14, 58-47) cruised to a 6-0 lead after three innings, and held a 7-2 lead entering the bottom of the ninth. After Cory Meacham allowed a leadoff single and a one-out walk, he struck out Cliff Pennington to bring the Swing within one out of victory. But Luis Perez followed with a double to score Nick Blasi, and the Swing led 7-4. Closer Jason Cairns came on, and immediately allowed an RBI single to Javier Herrera, slicing Quad Cities' lead to 7-5.

Tommy Everidge, who tripled and scored the winning run as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the 13th inning on Friday night, ripped a moonshot to right-center, caroming off the top of the wall for a double, and the Swing's lead had been sliced to 7-6. Pinch runner Ryan Ruiz replaced Everidge, and Myron Leslie grounded a sharp single to right field. Stavinoha charged hard, and threw a strike to the right of home plate. Catcher Cody Palmer expertly blocked the plate with his left foot while retrieving the ball, and applied the game-ending tag to the foot of Ruiz to seal the Swing victory.

The Swing tallied immediately, scoring twice in the top of the first inning. Matt Lemanczyk reached on an error to open the game, immediately swiped second, then took third on a throwing error. Matt Shepherd drilled a triple over the head of the centerfielder to score Lemanczyk, and then Rick Ankiel had a sacrifice fly to left to bring home Shepherd for a 2-0 Swing lead.

Quad Cities added two more runs in the top of the second inning. After Mike Ferris drew a leadoff walk, Cody Palmer roped a double over the head of the leftfielder. Ferris came in on a wild pitch, and then Lemanczyk bounced to short to score Palmer for a 4-0 Quad Cities edge.

The Swing added two more runs in the top of the third inning. After Chris Patrick roped a double down the third base line to begin the inning, Eric Verbryke ripped a solo home run to the picnic deck in right field. Verbryke, who had gone just 4-for-26 on the Swing's recent eight-game homestand, is now four-for-eight with three walks through the first two games of the series.

Andersen had no problem making the lead stand up for the Swing, working through seven strong innings. The righthander carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning as he picked up his third win of the season. Andersen, one of the Swing's most consistent starters since joining the rotation at the beginning of June, dropped his ERA to 3.10 with the victory. He has not lost since his Midwest League debut on June 1, a stretch of 10 starts.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Cougars continue the series on Sunday night, as the Swing send Michael Cooper (0-0, 2.20) to the mound against Tony Evans (5-2, 2.81). First pitch is scheduled for 6:00, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 5:45.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND: The Swing will return to John O'Donnell Stadium to begin an eight-game homestand as they open a four-game series against the Clinton LumberKings on Tuesday, August 2. The homestand will feature two Hooters/97 Rock Beverage Nights, scheduled for August 3 and August 10. In addition, the ZOOperstars will return to John O'Donnell Stadium on Saturday, August 6, there will be a fireworks show on Friday, August 5. Tickets are available for all Swing games by calling (563) 328-2000.

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Midwest League Stories from July 30, 2005


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