Sports stats



MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing plate four in ninth, stun Lugnuts

August 1, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities scored four runs with two outs in the ninth inning Tuesday night at Oldsmobile Park, erasing a spectacular performance from Lansing starter Aaron Tressler to shock the Lugnuts with a 4-2 victory. Tressler, who carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, held the Swing to just one hit through eight innings before giving way to the bullpen in the ninth.

Quad Cities (22-16, 56-50) pulled off their 22nd come-from-behind victory of the season, and are now 3-40 when trailing heading into the eighth inning (including 2-23 on the road). Lansing (16-23, 56-50), who has already qualified for the playoffs, had their five-game winning streak broken with the loss.

The Swing had mustered just one hit and two baserunners as they headed into the top of the ninth inning down 1-0, but consecutive one-out singles from Daniel Nelson and Casey Rowlett started the rally. There were men on first and second with two outs when Mark Hamilton delivered the first clutch knock, lining a single to center that tied the game when Luke Hetherington's throw to the plate sailed up the third base line. Bryan Anderson followed with a bloop-single to left that plated Rowlett, giving Quad Cities the 2-1 lead. Tyler Greene stepped in and sent a bouncing ball to the second baseman, but when the throw to first popped out of David Hicks' glove Hamilton rounded third to try to score. Hicks' throw to the plate sailed wide and into the dugout, bringing home both Hamilton and Anderson for the 4-1 advantage.

Those extra runs proved crucial in the bottom of the inning, as the Lugnuts rallied for one run against Chris Perez. That was all they would get, however, as Perez (2-0) struck out three in a two-inning appearance that netted him his second win of the season.

The flurry of action late overshadowed a stellar pitcher's duel between the Lugnuts' Aaron Tressler and the Swing's Trey Hearne, as neither pitcher figured into the decision.

Tressler opened the game by retiring the 17 batters he faced, and had a no-hitter alive into the seventh inning. In the end he lasted eight innings without allowing a run, holding Quad Cities to one hit while striking out four without issuing a walk. He allowed just two baserunners in the outing, but Lansing's bullpen was unable to finish the job in the ninth.

Hearne matched Tressler zero for zero through six innings, carrying a shutout into the seventh before being chased from the game. He scattered eight hits while allowing one run over 6.1 frames, inducing a pair of double plays while fanning two and walking one. Hearne's six-game winning streak remains active, as the late Swing rally got him off the hook for a potential loss.

In the top of the seventh the Swing finally broke up the no-hitter, but were unable to convert on what turned into their best scoring opportunity until the ninth. Rowlett ripped a leadoff double down the line in left field, and a sacrifice bunt moved him to third with one out. But Hamilton's full-count grounder to third failed to bring the runner home, and Anderson grounded out to second base to end the inning.

In the bottom half of the frame, the Lugnuts were able to get to Hearne for the first time. With one out Hicks doubled for the second time, sending a grounder inside the first base line for the extra-base hit. Men were at first and second when Zack Kalter popped a ball into foul territory off of shallow left field, but the back-peddling Nelson was charged with an error when he was unable to corral the foul ball. One pitch later, Kalter's bloop-single up the middle plated Hicks for a 1-0 Lansing lead.

Lansing's Ted Serro (0-1) took the loss, giving up four runs - two earned - on four hits in relief of Tressler in the ninth.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will continue their series in Lansing on Wednesday afternoon, as LHP Tyler Norrick (1-1, 4.46) will take the mound for the Swing opposite LHP Chi-Hung Cheng (8-5, 3.01) of the Lugnuts. First pitch is scheduled for 11:05 p.m. CDT and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 10:50 a.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will return to Davenport for an eight-game homestand that will last from August 5-13, as the Clinton LumberKings and West Michigan Whitecaps will each come to town for four games.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The next homestand will kickoff on Saturday, August 5, as WQPT will bring Clifford the Big Red Dog to John O'Donnell Stadium and a KWQC fireworks display will follow the game. Sunday, August 6, will be the Optimists Youth Appreciation Day as well as a Mix 96 Family Fun Day, and a Q106.5 $1 Monday comes your way on August 6.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 1, 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