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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing downs Kernels in extras again

June 7, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities played their third extra-inning game in a row and walked off with their second straight against the Cedar Rapids Kernels Wednesday afternoon, snatching an 8-7 decision in 11 innings at John O' Donnell Stadium. After bashing a two-run homer in the 12th inning for the only score of Tuesday night's game, Casey Rowlett drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in the game winner in the 11th on Wednesday.

Quad Cities (28-29) pulls to within a game of the break-even mark with the win, having taken eight of their last nine ballgames. Four of the last six have gone beyond nine innings, including three in a row as the Swing improve to 6-5 in extra-inning affairs. Despite battling back from a five-run deficit, Cedar Rapids (26-34) was handed their fifth consecutive loss.

Chris Howell (1-4) came on to pitch the bottom of the 11th for the Kernels in a 7-7 stalemate, and was greeted by a groundball single through the left side off the bat of Adam Rodgers. Luis Cotto laid down a bunt that went back to the mound, but when Howell whirled and threw to second his throw skipped up off the glove of shortstop Hainley Statia and bounced towards left-center. The error allowed each runner to move to second and third, leading to an intentional walk that loaded the bases with nobody out for Rowlett. Howell's full count pitch was a close offering that was declared off the plate outside, giving the scrappy utility player the game-winning RBI for the second night in a row.

Jason Cairns (2-2) took the win with three innings of work, striking out two without allowing a hit. He entered in the top of the ninth inning after Dallas Morris drove a liner that struck Brian Stitt in the left hand and forced him out of the ballgame.

After holding the Kernels scoreless in 12 innings Tuesday night, the Swing pitching staff gave way in the second inning on Wednesday. Flint Wipke led off with a single and stole second base on a swing-and-miss strikeout pitch to Jordan Renz. Wipke came home on an opposite-field double by Mark Trumbo to right, and Cedar Rapids took a 2-0 lead one batter later on a single into left by Stantrel Smith.

Quad Cities cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth. Colby Rasmus started the frame by legging out a line drive that rolled into the right field corner for a triple. When Randy Roth grounded out to shortstop, Rasmus crossed the plate to pull the Swing to within 2-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, Quad Cities turned the game around with an offensive explosion. The Swing offensive attack produced six consecutive hits to start the inning with four of them going for extra bases. A two-run triple from Daniel Nelson was the big blow, while consecutive doubles by Rasmus and Roth put on the finishing touches. When it was all said and done, Quad Cities had racked up six runs on six hits to turn a one-run deficit into a 7-2 lead.

Cedar Rapids refused to roll over, however, and came roaring back with a run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to pull within 7-5. The rally continued with Jordan Renz at first and nobody out in the eighth, when Trumbo sent a double into right-center and the lumbering baserunner tried to score all the way from first. Right fielder Rich Giannotti started the relay and the second baseman Rowlett fired to Bryan Anderson at the plate, as the catcher held on for a huge out while bearing the brunt of a train-wreck collision at the plate courtesy of the 225-pound Renz.

Cedar Rapids would go on to score two runs in the frame and tie the game at seven, but the play at the plate ensured that the Swing would not fall behind. As the two teams headed into extra-innings again, that play loomed large.

Kyle Sadlowski was touched for five runs - three earned - on eight hits in 6.1 innings in making the start for the Swing. Kernels' starter Tommy Mendoza sailed through the early part of his outing before running into trouble in the fifth, allowing seven runs on nine hits in five innings of work.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will continue their series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels Thursday, as RHP Cory Meacham (4-3, 3.75) is slated to take the mound against RHP Andy Hill (1-1, 1.50). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m., with coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 beginning at 6:45 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Thursday, June 8 will be a Pluckers/97 Rock Thirsty Thursday, while the Swing welcome in the Moline Blackhawks. Stick around after the game on Boy Scout Night, Friday, June 9, and enjoy KWQC/Q106.5/Boy Scouts fireworks.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 7, 2006


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