MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing drop a pair in Burlington

Published on May 13, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities were swept away by the Burlington Bees on Saturday at Community Field, dropping game one of the doubleheader, 2-1 in ten innings, before falling again in the nightcap, 2-0. Quad Cities could scratch across only one run in a combined 17 innings, dropping the twin bill despite solid pitching.

Quad Cities (15-20) falls to their lowest point of the season, dropping five games under .500 for the first time. Burlington (14-21) entered the ballgame 0-6 this season in doubleheaders.

The biggest story of the twin bill for Quad Cities was the end of Randy Roth's 19-game hitting streak. Playing right field for the first time this season, the 10th-rounder out of Southeastern Louisiana State University went 0-for-4 in game one despite launching a ball to the wall in left field during the fourth inning that was knocked down by a gusting wind. During the streak - which stands as the longest in the Midwest League this season - Roth hit .364 with eight home runs, 21 runs batted in, and 14 runs scored. He went 1-for-3 in game two.

Game one was a game of pitching and defense, as the Swing and Bees were neck and neck throughout.

Tied at 1-1, Quad Cities had a chance to take the lead in the sixth. Bryan Anderson led off the inning with a double, and was waved around third one out later on a single up the middle by Brandon Yarbrough. Strong-armed center fielder Jose Duarte was up to the task, however, rifling a bullet to the plate on a fly to gun down Anderson and preserve the deadlock.

In the bottom of the eighth, it was Quad Cities flashing the leather. Burlington had men on first and second with only one out when Mario Lisson sent a line drive up the middle. Second baseman Jose Martinez made a diving stab to his right, easily doubling up Josh Johnson who was already heading towards third base when the catch was made.

In the tenth, however, the Bees won the game against Swing reliever Matt Trent (1-2). A leadoff walk was followed by a sacrifice bunt, but when Trent's throw to first got away there were men on first and second with nobody out. Another sacrifice moved both runners into scoring position, and after an intentional walk Jeremy Jirschele came to the dish. With the bases loaded and the infield drawn in with one out, Jirschele sent a groundball up the middle past a diving Luis Cotto that gave Burlington the 2-1 victory.

Kraig Schambough (1-0) was the winner for Burlington, throwing four shutout innings in relief of starter Chris Nicoll, who left the game after six one-run frames. The two righthanders combined to hold Quad Cities to one run on seven hits over the 10-inning contest.

In the second game, Burlington again prevailed on the strength of their starting pitcher.

Matt Kniginyzky (3-2) tossed 6.1 scoreless innings, fanning seven while walking one and allowing five hits. After giving up back-to-back singles with one out in the seventh, the righthander was lifted for closer Gilbert De La Vara. De La Vara needed only two pitches to induce a game-ending double play, earning his fourth save of the season.

Mark McCormick (1-2) took the loss for the Swing despite seven strikeouts in four innings. The flamethrowing righthander out of Baylor allowed two runs in four innings while walking four and giving up four hits.

In the second inning, Miguel Vega and the Bees broke through against McCormick. With a man on second and one out, Vega launched an opposite-field triple deep to right that gave Burlington a 1-0 lead. Two innings later, it was Vega again lining an RBI single through the right side of the infield for the final tally. Vega was 3-for-3 in game two and 5-for-7 on the doubleheader, accounting for three of the four Burlington RBI on the night.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will continue their four-game series in Burlington on Sunday. RHP Cory Meacham (1-2, 5.57) is set to take the hill against RHP Carlos Rosa (2-3, 2.64). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., with coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 beginning at 1:45 p.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: After a 12-game trip around the Midwest League, the Swing will return to John O'Donnell Stadium on May 20 for an eight-game homestand. Quad Cities will welcome two in-state rivals to town, as the Clinton LumberKings come in on May 20 and the Cedar Rapids Kernels visit starting May 25.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Saturday, May 20 will be John Deere' Employee's Night with fireworks brought to you by i-wireless, KWQC, and Q106.5. Sunday, May 21, will be a Mix 96 Family Fun Day, followed by a Q106.5 $1 Monday on May 22. If you have been waiting for Wild West Night, that is coming up on May 25 in conjunction with a 97 Rock/Pluckers Thirsty Thursday. Your favorite characters from the Rugrats will be at John O'Donnell Stadium on May 26 thanks to Mediacom, Baseball America, and Star 93.5. The busy homestand will conclude with a baseball cap (Mountain Dew, 97 Rock, Fox-18) giveaway on May 27 and another Mix 96 Family Fun Day on May 28 - also Scott County YMCA's day at the ballpark with post-game fireworks sponsored in part by KWQC/KUUL/WOC.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 13, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central