MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing pull off sweep with four-run rally in the ninth

Published on July 6, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Things looked bleak on Thursday night for the Swing of the Quad Cities as they headed into the ninth inning trailing by three runs, but the home team thrilled the John O'Donnell Stadium crowd with a four-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to walk off with a 6-5 win over the Fort Wayne Wizards.

Quad Cities (8-7, 42-41) notched their first series sweep of the 2006 season with the dramatic win, answering a five-game losing streak with a four straight wins to climb back above the .500 mark. Fort Wayne (6-9, 37-46) continues to reel with their fifth loss in a row after giving up 37 runs on 52 hits in the four-game series.

Trailing 5-2 heading into the bottom of the ninth, Tyler Greene drew a leadoff walk against Wizards' closer John Madden while Chad Gabriel and Jose Martinez each followed with bouncing ball singles to load the bases. Daniel Nelson reached on a fielder's choice for the first out of the inning, scoring Greene and putting men on the corners. The bases filled up again one batter later when pinch-hitter Bryan Anderson was given first on a catcher's interference call, and Shane Robinson was promptly beaned with the first pitch he saw to force in Gabriel and pull the Swing to within one run.

Down 5-4 with the bases still loaded and one out Casey Rowlett sent a slow bouncer to the right side, but as Fort Wayne tried to turn a double play they did not get anything when shortstop Matt Bush failed to touch the bag at second and his throw to first was late. With the game tied, the infield in, and the bags still packed, Jon Jay shrugged off an 0-for-4 night and hit a hot smash through the left side of the infield to plate Anderson for the game-winner. Quad Cities sent eight men to the plate in the inning, using three hits to sneak out the 6-5 win.

Scott Vander Weg (4-1) earned the victory with a perfect top of the ninth, striking out two in the process. Madden (1-3) was tagged with the loss as well as his fourth blown save of the year, allowing four runs - three earned - in just one-third of an inning.

Heading into the ballgame smelling the potential sweep, the Swing reached the scoreboard first with a run in the bottom of the third. Martinez led off the inning by slapping a ball the other way off the wall in right, legging out a triple when it eluded right fielder Mike Baxter. One batter later Nelson sent a groundball to shortstop, plating Martinez for the 1-0 lead.

The Swing were back at it one inning later. With one away on the frame Randy Roth, Greene, and Gabriel hit consecutive singles, with Gabriel's knock bringing home Roth to stretch the advantage to 2-0.

In the top of the sixth, the Wizards got even. Reliever Matt Trent walked Daryl Jones and Drew Davidson to open the inning, and the runners moved to second and third after a wild pitch. With one away a pitch snuck through the legs of Henry Guerrero. Jones raced to the plate and scored, but when Guerrero's throw back to the dish caromed off his helmet and bounced away Davidson was able to run home as well. Charged with a passed ball and an error on the same play, the Swing lost the lead on two unearned runs and found themselves in a 2-2 deadlock.

The tie game did not last long, though, as Fort Wayne took control in the seventh thanks to some more unearned run. Jesus Lopez drew a one-out walk and Mike Sansoe reached on a bouncer that was bobbled by the third baseman Nelson. Seth Johnston and Jones followed with back-to-back run scoring singles to score both baserunners, and a sacrifice fly brought home Johnston for the third run of the frame. Five unanswered runs gave the Wizards a 5-2 lead, one that appeared as if it would be enough.

Tyler Norrick pitched well in a bid for his first win with the Swing, tossing five scoreless frames. The southpaw gave up three hits and walked three batters, but fanned five and left the game with a 2-0 lead.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will head to Dayton to begin a four-game series with the Dragons on Friday night, as LHP Adam Daniels (4-6, 3.45) is slated to pitch against RHP Carlos Fisher (7-4, 3.21). First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 5:45 p.m.

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Midwest League Stories from July 6, 2006


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