MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing Shutout Loons To Take Series

Published on May 3, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Brandon Buckman launched a first-inning home run Thursday night to move back into a tie for the league lead, while three Swing of the Quad Cities pitchers combined on a six-hit shutout in a 3-0 win over the Great Lakes Loons at John O'Donnell Stadium.

Quad Cities (15-12) improved to a season-high three games over .500 with the win, completing a 5-1 homestand and improving their 2007 home record to 9-3. Great Lakes (11-15) won the series opener on Monday before dropping the final three games of the set.

P.J. Walters, Elvis Hernandez, and Kenny Maiques combined on the third Swing shutout of the year, holding the Loons to just six hits while equaling a season-high with 13 strikeouts.

Buckman got the Swing on the board early in the bottom of the first inning. After Christian Lopez reached on an error, the Swing first baseman turned on a changeup and hooked it inside the foul poll down the right field line. His sixth home run of the year - and first since April 21 - moved him back into a tie for the league-lead while giving Quad Cities a 2-0 edge.

Walters (1-0) tossed another strong outing for Quad Cities, making quick work of the Loons with just 63 pitchers over five shutout innings. He struck out a career-high seven while walking one and scattering five hits, including one stretch in which he fanned four batters in a row. Over his last three starts, the native of Alabama has gone 1-0 with a save and a 1.29 ERA, striking out 16 while issuing just two walks.

The Swing added their final run in the sixth. Jim Rapoport led off the frame with a bunt single, and after Buckman dumped a base hit into left and Jaime Landin drew a walk the bases were loaded with two away. Thomas Melgarejo promptly walked Chris Grossman on four consecutive pitches, forcing in a run for a 3-0 lead.

Hernandez relieved Walters and struck out five over three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit but walking three. Maiques (6) entered for the ninth and turned in a 1-2-3 inning, making it a perfect 6-for-6 in save chances this year.

The loss went to Melgarejo (0-1), who tied a career-high with six strikeouts and established a new one with seven innings pitched. He allowed three runs - two earned - on five hits and two walks.

TICKETS: Tickets for all events at John O'Donnell Stadium can be purchased by calling the Swing of the Quad Cities ticket office at (563) 328-2000, coming to the box office located at the stadium along South Gaines Street, or by logging on to www.swingbaseball.com.

UP NEXT: The Swing hit the road through May 14 for a 10-game trip that includes stops in Cedar Rapids, Lansing, and Burlington. They will return to John O'Donnell Stadium for a 10-game homestand from May 14-24, beginning an extended home stretch in which 14 of their next 18 games will be played in Davenport. All Swing games feature a radio broadcast that can be heard on The Truth AM-1270 or online at www.swingbaseball.com, with the pre-game show starting 15 minutes prior to scheduled first pitch.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 3, 2007


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