MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing Fail To Put Out The Dragon's Fire

Published on April 18, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Luke Gorsett slugged his first home run of the season and the Swing of the Quad Cities brought the potential game-tying run to the plate in the ninth inning, but the Dayton Dragons held firm and stayed undefeated with a 5-2 win Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field.

Quad Cities (6-7) has collected 17 hits through the first two games of the series, but only one extra-base hit and two runs in a pair of losses. Dayton (9-0) jumped all over the Swing with three runs in the bottom of the first, which proved to be all they would need.

Trailing 5-1 heading into the ninth inning Gorsett, who led the nation with 24 collegiate home runs in 2005, swatted a 2-2 pitch down the line in right that cleared the fence for his first home run of the season. Christian Lopez chipped in with a one-out single and Daryl Jones was hit by a pitch with two away, bringing Isa Garcia to the plate as the potential game-tying run. But Dayton countered by bringing Jose Rojas in from the bullpen, and the closer earned his second save by freezing Garcia with a curveball for strike three.

The win went to Rafael Gonzalez (2-0), who allowed one run on five hits over six innings for the Dragons.

Dayton came out swinging Tuesday night, building a quick lead with a rally in the first. Drew Stubbs coaxed a leadoff walk and Justin Turner singled him to second, setting the stage for a run to score on a double to right-center by Chris Valaika. One out later Denis Phipps added to the early advantage, slugging a two-run double to the wall in left-center that gave Dayton a 3-0 lead.

The Swing trailed 4-0 when they struck back in the fourth. Brandon Buckman drew a one-out walk and moved to second base on a wild pitch. There were two outs when Mark Shorey delivered a bouncing a ball through the right side of the infield, scoring Buckman to pull to within 4-1.

Quad Cities threatened again in the sixth when Jones led off with a bunt single and Garcia slapped a base hit to center. The Swing had men at the corners with two away when Shorey sent a flare into center, but the shortstop Valaika raced out and made a spectacular one-handed basket catch with his back towards the infield to save a run and stamp out the rally.

The Swing put men on board in the seventh as well, stranding two men on base for the second straight inning. In the eighth Buckman tried to score on another two-out single by Shorey, but the right fielder Phipps gunned him down at the plate to retire the side.

Mike Schellinger (0-2) suffered the loss for the Swing, allowing four runs on six hits in four innings of work. Though he allowed four runs in the first two innings he did not allow a hit in his final two frames of work, striking out the side in the third.

Rain began to fall in the top of the seventh inning and the game was delayed briefly in the middle of the seventh when it turned into a heavy downpour. The rain delay lasted only 11 minutes before play resumed.

TICKETS: Tickets for all events at John O'Donnell Stadium can be purchased by calling the Swing of the Quad Cities ticket office at (563) 328-2000, coming to the box office located at the stadium along South Gaines Street, or by logging on to www.swingbaseball.com.

UP NEXT: The Swing are in the midst of a 12-game, 13-day road trip that continues with stops in Dayton, Fort Wayne, and Burlington. All Swing games can be heard on The Truth AM-1270, with the pre-game show starting 15 minutes before the scheduled first pitch. The Swing return to John O'Donnell Stadium for a six-game homestand that kicks off on April 28 against Burlington.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The 2007 season will be loaded with fun at John O'Donnell Stadium, and each day of the week will feature its own exciting promotion:

Monday - Kids under the age of 12 will receive a hot dog and small soda with the purchase of a child's GA ticket!

Tuesday - Get four box seat tickets, four slices of pizza, four sodas, and a Swing program for just $44!

Wednesday - Join us for lunch as we bring back daytime baseball! $11 will get you a hot dog, soda, and box seat.

Thursday - Enjoy half-price 12 oz. beverages with Dave and Darren thanks to the Bent River Brewing Company.

Friday - Most Friday night of the 2007 season will feature a dazzling fireworks display sponsored by KWQC.

Saturday - Be one of the first fans through the gates on select Saturdays and receive a special giveaway item.

Sunday - Bring the whole family out for an afternoon featuring clowns, balloons, and games. Stick around after the game and kids can run the bases just like the pros do!

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Midwest League Stories from April 18, 2007


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