Sports stats



MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing get new reliever

June 7, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday added righthanded pitcher Brian Miller to the Swing of the Quad Cities roster. To make room, the Cardinals sent pitcher Justin Knoff to extended spring training.

A 6-3, 200-pounder from Charlotte, Michigan, Miller was originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 20th round of the 2001 draft. In 66 starts prior to this season, Miller had gone 24-25 with a 4.61 ERA while pitching for rookie-level Bristol (2002, 13 starts), Class A Kannapolis (2003-04, 46 starts), and Class A-Advanced Winston-Salem (2004, seven starts). Miller started the season with Winston-Salem, posting a 6.19 ERA in 11 relief outings before being released from his contract in mid-May.

Miller's career highlight came on June 10, 2003, when he threw a seven-inning no-hitter against Greensboro, striking out seven and walking four. The no-hitter was only the third in Kannapolis franchise history.

Miller signed with the Cardinals as a free agent on June 1, and his Swing debut will also be his official debut as a member of the Cardinals organization.

Knoff, a 6-3, 198-pounder from Burlington, New Jersey, is being sent to extended spring training for the second time in the last three weeks. He also was sent to Jupiter, Florida, on May 23 to open a roster spot for Quad Cities outfielder Rick Ankiel. In 22 appearances, the 23-year-old has gone 2-0 with a 4.18 ERA for the Swing. Knoff was acquired from the Cincinnati Reds in the Double-A phase of the Rule Five draft last December.

Miller will be the 39th player used by the Swing of the Quad Cities this season. The Swing used 39 players, including Nick Punto on a major league rehabilitation assignment, in all of 2004.

The Quad Cities roster currently stands at 25 active players, the maximum allowed by the Midwest League. An updated roster follows this release.

UP NEXT: The Swing take will play West Michigan for the finale of the four-game series Tuesday night, as Mike Parisi (3-4, 4.09) will take the mound against Josh Rainwater (1-1, 4.09). Game time is scheduled for 6:05 CDT, and pre-game coverage will begin on WKBF AM-1270 at 5:50 CDT.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Swing return home to begin a seven-game homestand on Wednesday, June 8, as they take on the Peoria Chiefs. It will be a Hooters/97 Rock night at the ballpark, as well as 70's night with the Swing! We'll have live music on the party deck from 6:00 until game time, and drink specials will continue until 8:30. It is also Moline Blackhawks night at the ballpark.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from June 7, 2005


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