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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing grind out fourth straight

July 13, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Trailing for most of the game, the Swing of the Quad Cities scored twice in the eighth inning and pulled away in the ninth as they defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 7-1, on Wednesday night at Fox Cities Stadium. Mike Sillman worked 1.2 scoreless innings, striking out three, to pick up the win in relief of Phillip Andersen.

The Swing (14-6, 50-39) have won four straight contests, and are on a 14-6 run to start the second half of the season. They have won seven of eight second-half games against the first-half champion Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (9-11, 48-42). In those eight games, the Swing have outscored Wisconsin, 68-42. The Swing did not win their 50th game of the 2004 season until July 29, and are 11 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2001 season.

Quad Cities took the lead in the top of the eighth inning, scoring two tie-breaking runs without the benefit of a base hit. Rick Ankiel was hit by a pitch, and then Stavinoha and Eric Verbryke drew back-to-back walks from Donny Langdon. With one out, Ferris bounced towards second, an apparent double play ball. But Verbryke's hard slide at second forced the ball from shortstop Matt Tuiasosopo's glove, allowing pinch runner Wes Swackhamer to score from third. When the ball squirted loose, Stavinoha sprinted in all the way from second for a 3-1 Swing advantage.

After Sillman struck out Chris Colton, the tying run, to end the eighth inning, the Swing broke the game open in the top of the ninth. Chris Patrick walked to start the inning, and then Calvin Hayes dropped down a bunt single while trying to simply sacrifice. Matt Lemanczyk then drilled a line drive home run to left field, his fourth of the season, for a 6-1 Swing lead. The home run was the fourth since June 7 for Lemanczyk, the Swing's leadoff hitter who had three long balls in 1,000 professional at-bats prior to this season.

The Swing capped the scoring when Matt Shepherd doubled and later scored on Stavinoha's sacrifice fly.

Jaymie Torres finished the game off for Quad Cities, striking out two in a perfect ninth inning. Sillman (3-2), who has struggled since late May for Quad Cities, allowed only one baserunner in 1.2 innings to pick up the victory. He entered the tie game in the bottom of the seventh, and immediately drew a lineout double play from Oswaldo Navarro. Since allowing four runs in last Thursday afternoon's loss to West Michigan, Swing relievers have thrown 15.1 straight scoreless innings.

The Rattlers struck first, scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Mike Wilson ripped an 0-2 pitch for a double into the left field corner, and then Rob Johnson singled into right for a 1-0 Wisconsin advantage.

Wisconsin's Mark Lowe went three scoreless, hitless innings in his second start since coming off the disabled list. He struck out three Swing batters and allowed only one walk.

Quad Cities mounted a minor threat in the fourth inning, loading the bases against reliever Roman Martinez, thanks to an error, a hit batsman, and a walk. But Mike Ferris sharply bounced out to end that chance.

The Swing tied it up in the top of the sixth inning. Ahead in the count 3-1, Nick Stavinoha ripped a solo homer over the scoreboard in left-center, tying the game at 1-1. The blast was the third for Stavinoha, who is batting .385 (20-52) with 12 RBI in his first 16 professional games since being drafted out of Louisiana State.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Timber Rattlers continue the series on Thursday night, when Quad Cities sends 2005 17th-round pick Michael Cooper to the mound in his Midwest League debut against Randy Frye (2-3, 6.23). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 6:50.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND: The Swing begin an eight-game homestand on Thursday, July 21. The homestand will include a fireworks show on Friday, July 22, a Johan Santana bobblehead giveaway on Saturday, July 23, and several other promotions throughout Tickets are available for all Swing games by calling (563) 328-2000.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from July 13, 2005


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