MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing set hr record in blowout loss

Published on August 31, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Mike Ferris set the all-time Quad Cities team home run record with a solo home run in the top of the ninth and Matt Shepherd collected four singles but it was not enough on Wednesday night, as the Cedar Rapids Kernels rode an 11-run fifth inning to a 15-9 win over the Swing at Veterans Memorial Stadium. One day after being shut out for the seventh time of the season, the Swing's 16-hit barrage couldn't match the Kernels offensive outburst.

Because the Peoria Chiefs toppled the Beloit Snappers at Pohlman Field on Wednesday night, the Swing's magic number for playoff qualification dropped to three. With five games to play, the Swing (35-30, 71-63) maintain a two-game lead over both Cedar Rapids (33-32, 63-72) and Beloit, and hold tiebreakers with both. Kane County, the current wild card club, is one game behind Quad Cities.

Ferris' home run came as the leadoff man in the top of the ninth, as he lined the first pitch from Frederic DeLoizaga-Carney all the way out of the stadium to right-center, his team-leading 16th long ball of the season. The home run was the 111th of the season for Quad Cities, who has three players (also Rick Ankiel - 11, and Nick Stavinoha - 13) in double digits and three more (Matt Lemanczyk, Joe Mather, Eric Verbryke) with nine apiece. The 1999 team was led by future big leaguer Michael Restovich and Brian McMillin, who each had 19 home runs.

But the home run was not enough for Quad Cities, as DeLoizaga-Carney allowed two more baserunners but no more runs to close the door on the Kernels win.

After the Swing carried a 3-1 lead into the fifth inning, the Kernels scored a team season-best 11 runs on eight hits to take command in the bottom of the fifth. Drew Toussaint was the key to the inning for the Kernels, who sent 14 batters to the plate in the inning. With two on and one out in the inning, Toussaint blasted a double off the wall in center field, scoring both runners to tie the game. Touissant scored the go-ahead run on a failed double play attempt at first by Matt Shepherd and, after Michael Collins had a three-run double later in the inning, Touissant capped the rally with a two-run homer to left, his 20th of the season.

Quad Cities attempted a rally in the top of the fifth inning, putting five runs on the board to get the Swing back within 13-8 margin. Matt Lemanczyk singled down the left field line to open the inning, and then three straight Swing players drew walks, with Mike Ferris' bases-full free pass scoring Lemanczyk. Chris Patrick followed with a two-run single and Eric Verbryke and Matt Shepherd followed with RBI before the Kernels snuffed out the rally with a fluky double play. With runners at first and second, Casey Rowlett hit a low line drive to shortstop Sean Rodriguez. Rodriguez couldn't pick the scalding blast, but immediately fired to second for a force out. Second baseman Nate Sutton threw to third baseman Freddy Sandoval, who tagged out Verbryke for the second out. A Cody Palmer strikeout ended the inning.

The Swing had jumped to the lead in the second inning, when Shepherd singled and scored, and added to it on Casey Rowlett's two-run single in the fourth.

Matt Scherer got the loss for the Swing, allowing four runs in 4.1 innings. With one start left, Scherer (9-8, 3.98) remains stuck on nine wins, tying Kevin Ool for the team lead. The bullpen allowed a total of 11 runs in 3.2 innings, as only Jaymie Torres escaped unscathed. Michael Gross allowed four runs while retiring only one batter, and Tyler Adamczyk surrendered five runs in 1.1 innings. Cory Meacham allowed a pair of runs in the seventh before a scoreless eighth from Torres.

Karl Gelinas (10-8, 4.05) worked six strong innings, allowing two earned runs, for the win.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Kernels close out the series on Thursday night, when the Swing send Phillip Andersen (4-1, 2.94) to the mound against Nick Green (3-2, 3.24) First pitch is scheduled for 7:00, and pre-game coverage on WKBF AM-1270 will begin at 6:45.

NEXT HOME GAME: The Swing will close out the 2005 regular season with a road trip through Cedar Rapids and Southwest Michigan. If they hold on to their current position they will qualify for postseason play, which would begin with a home game at John O'Donnell Stadium on Wednesday, September 7. For more information, keep posted at www.swingbaseball.com . Season-ticket packages and 2005 playoff tickets are available for the 2006 season by calling the Swing at (563) 328-2000.

PROMOTION: The Swing will honor participants in the United Way's Day of Caring at their first playoff game, Wednesday, September 7. In addition, it will be a 97 Rock Beverage Night, with discounted drinks available from when the gates open at 6:00 until 8:30/.

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Midwest League Stories from August 31, 2005


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