MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing snap five-game skid with 6-1 win

Published on July 3, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities needed a win in a big way Monday night, and they started off the homestand on the right note with a 6-1 victory over the Fort Wayne Wizards at John O'Donnell Stadium. Propelled by a four-run rally in the bottom of the third that set the tone for the ballgame, the Swing put an end to their longest losing streak of the season.

Quad Cities (5-7, 39-41) had dropped five in a row coming into the game following a sweep at the hands of the South Bend Silver Hawks, and a 20-minute rain delay preceded the first pitch that eventually came with ominous skies looming above. While Fort Wayne (6-6, 39-42) struck first with a run in the top of the third, the Swing scored more times in the bottom half of the frame than they had in any of their four games in South Bend - and Mother Nature showed her approval by keeping the rains away.

Behind 1-0, the commanding rally in the third gave the home team control of the game. A.J. Van Slyke drew a one-out walk and Shane Robinson singled to left. After Daniel Nelson was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Jon Jay stepped up and blasted a double to the wall in center field. Van Slyke and Robinson came around to score, giving Quad Cities a 2-1 lead before Nelson was gunned down at the plate trying to score all the way from first. With Jay at second Randy Roth was the next hitter, and the 24-year-old slugger followed by blasting his league-leading 17th home run of the year to the sidewalk atop the left field berm. The two-run bomb capped a four-run rally in the inning, putting the Swing in front, 4-1.

Quad Cities eventually added two more runs to seal the deal. After Casey Rowlett lined a single to center with one out in the fourth, Jose Martinez roped the first of his two doubles on the night into the left field corner to score the runner. Rowlett was at it again in the eighth, sending a triple to center that plated Tyler Greene for the decisive 6-1 margin.

Victor Moreno was solid in the spot start for the Swing, allowing one run on five hits in four innings of work. He then gave way to Ashley Hooks and Matt Trent - each of which tossed two scoreless frames - before Chris Perez came on to finish off the victory in the ninth. Hooks (3-1) picked up the win as the first reliever in after Moreno, while Trent retired six of the seven batters he faced with four strikeouts.

Fort Wayne rallied in the top of the third to take the lead. Three consecutive singles opened the inning and loaded the bases with nobody out. Will Venable then sent a high fly ball to right field that was deep enough to score Jesus Lopez from third. Though the Wizards took a 1-0 lead, Moreno avoided further damage by striking out the next two batters to end the inning.

Stevie Delabar (5-6) took the loss for Fort Wayne, tagged for five runs on seven hits over six innings. He struck out six and walked three while giving up a home run.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will play host to the Fort Wayne Wizards this week, as RHP Cory Meacham (6-5, 2.51) takes the hill opposite RHP Joel Santo (5-5, 5.86) Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 5:45 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: There will be fireworks following the game on Tuesday, July 4 (KWQC/KUUL). Thursday, July 6 will be Noche Latina, as well as a Pluckers/97 Rock Thirsty Thursday.

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Midwest League Stories from July 3, 2006


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