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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing slip up in Wisconsin

May 9, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Randy Roth registered a base hit for his 18th consecutive game, but the Swing of the Quad Cities fell short Tuesday night at Fox Cities Stadium, falling to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, 4-2. The game was delayed for 46 minutes prior to first pitch, and was played despite light showers throughout the contest.

Roth's streak is the longest this season in the Midwest League, and moves him into a tie with Stephen Drew (AAA-Tuscon) and J.R. House (AA-Corpus Christi) for the longest streak this season in the minor leagues. Roth, who is the only one of the three whose streak is active, has hit .365 over the stretch with seven home runs and 20 RBI, raising his batting average to .313 and his league-leading power numbers to 10 home runs and 31 RBI.

Quad Cities (14-18) missed an opportunity to win consecutive ballgames for the ninth straight time, and have been unable to do so since a three-game winning streak on April 13. Wisconsin (15-17) pulls a game ahead of Quad Cities with the win, evening up the series through two games.

For the second consecutive night, Jose Martinez and the Swing jumped out to an early lead. The 20-year-old second baseman reached base on an error with one out, and moved to second after stealing the bag. Matt Wilkerson's chopper over the middle was snagged on a dive by Jeffrey Dominguez, but the shortstop had no play until he spied Martinez rounding third and trying to score from second. The throw home was not handled cleanly by Chao Kuan Wu, and Martinez put Quad Cities out in front, 1-0.

In the second, the Swing had men on second and third with one out when Mother Nature gave them a hand. Luis Cotto's fly ball sent second baseman Ron Garth into shallow right field, but as he tried to plant his feet slid out from under him. As Garth landed hard on his backside, Casey Rowlett crossed the plate for a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom half of the inning, Wisconsin fought back. On a 3-1 pitch, Mike Saunders launched a solo home run over the wall in left field. After a one-out walk the game paused while the grounds crew worked on the pitching mound, and one pitch later Bryan Sabatella hit a towering fly ball to left field that cleared the fence for the second longball of the frame, giving the Timber Rattlers a 3-2 lead.

Wisconsin added to the lead in the fourth. Casey Craig and Eddy Hernandez opened up the frame with back-to-back doubles, with the line drive by Hernandez over the head of Wilkerson in right scoring Craig, and pushing the score to 4-2.

After the flurry of runs early, neither team would crack the scoreboard again.

Quad Cities had a chance in the sixth inning, loading the bases without the benefit of a hit. Bryan Anderson reached on a wild pitch after striking out, Rowlett followed with a walk, and after a bunt and a strikeout, Martinez was hit by a pitch. With the bases juiced and two outs, Rasmus hit a groundball towards the shortstop and sprinted down the first base line. Rasmus was called out on a bang-bang play, as first base coach Steve Dillard threw his hands up in protest of the call. The Swing would have only one baserunner the rest of the way, as Chad Gabriel could not advance past first after a two-out single in the seventh.

After getting hit in the left foot during the top of the sixth inning, Martinez was removed from the game defensively before the bottom of the frame.

Josh Wilson (0-2) took the loss for Quad Cities after allowing a pair of home runs in the second and a pair of doubles in the fourth. The Cardinals' 2nd-rounder in 2005 allowed four runs on five hits in 4.1 frames, striking out three while walking three. Trey Hearne was stellar in relief, retiring each batter that he faced in 2.2 flawless innings that included three strikeouts.

Southpaw Justin Thomas (3-3) was the winner for Wisconsin, yielding two runs - one earned - in six innings. He fanned six and walked four, allowing three hits, and only one after the second inning. Edgar Guaramato worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his sixth save of the year.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will continue their four-game series in Wisconsin with game three on Wednesday morning. RHP Kyle Sadlowski (1-1, 2.61) will start for Quad Cities against LHP Paul Fagan (1-2, 5.70) of the Timber Rattlers. First pitch is scheduled for 11:35 a.m., with coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 beginning at 11:20 a.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: After a 12-game trip around the Midwest League, the Swing will return to John O'Donnell Stadium on May 20 for an eight-game homestand. Quad Cities will welcome two in-state rivals to town, as the Clinton LumberKings come in on May 20 and the Cedar Rapids Kernels visit starting May 25.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Saturday, May 20 will be John Deere' Employee's Night with fireworks brought to you by i-wireless, KWQC, and Q106.5. Sunday, May 21, will be a Mix 96 Family Fun Day, followed by a Q106.5 $1 Monday on May 22. If you have been waiting for Wild West Night, that is coming up on May 25 in conjunction with a 97 Rock/Pluckers Thirsty Thursday. Your favorite characters from the Rugrats will be at John O'Donnell Stadium on May 26 thanks to Mediacom, Baseball America, and Star 93.5. The busy homestand will conclude with a baseball cap (Mountain Dew, 97 Rock, Fox-18) giveaway on May 27 and another Mix 96 Family Fun Day on May 28 - also Scott County YMCA's day at the ballpark with post-game fireworks sponsored in part by KWQC/KUUL/WOC.

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