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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing sting Bees in extras

August 6, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities were almost down and out Saturday night, but a late-game rally forced extra innings before the Swing pulled out a 6-5, 10-inning victory over Burlington at John O'Donnell Stadium. The win was the first for Quad Cities after nine consecutive extra inning losses, bringing their record in extended ballgames to 4-10 overall

Quad Cities (25-18, 61-51) moves two games ahead of Burlington (23-20, 57-56) in the standings, remaining a game ahead of Wisconsin in first place.

Tied at five runs apiece in the tenth inning, it was Jake Mullinax starting things off right for the Swing with an opposite-field single. After Juan Lucena moved him to second with a bunt, Spencer Wyman was intentionally walked. That set the stage for Mike Ferris, who blooped a single into left field that hung in the air long enough to force Mullinax to hold his ground between second and third. When the ball finally did touch down for a single, Kenard Springer tried to force Mullinax out at third base from the outfield. But when his errant throw sailed into the Swing dugout, the winning run crossed the plate for Quad Cities to the delight of an elated home crowd.

Setting the stage for the victory was a valiant Swing rally in the eighth inning. Trailing 5-0, Eric Verbryke singled to get things started, scoring with one out when a Mullinax groundball slipped past shortstop Gary Perez. Lucena reached on an infield single, and one batter later an RBI knock from Wyman cut the lead to 5-2. With two men on, Ferris then slapped a double the other way that brought both runs home, advancing to third on a throwing error and representing the tying run. After Casey Rowlett struck out it was Matt Shepherd saving the day with the big hit, lining a single to right on an 0-2 pitch to tie the game at five.

Burlington started the scoring in a big way in the top of the third inning, the last frame Swing starter Mark McCormick would toss. After retiring the leadoff hitter, McCormick issued three consective walks. In the process, Bees' leadoff hitter Irving Fula stole both second and third base, coming home to score when Spencer Wyman sent a throw into center field on the back end of a double steal. Designated hitter Rusty Brown then split the gap in left-center field with a two-run double, coming home one batter later after Brian McFall's single up the middle pushed the score to 4-0.

The Bees extended their lead in the sixth, as Eddie Solis singled with one out and stole second. After advancing to third base on a passed ball, Solis gave Burlington a five-run advantage when Fula bounced out softly to the pitcher.

Mike Sillman (6-2) picked up the win for the Swing, striking out a pair over two strong innings in the ninth and tenth. Cory Meacham and Jason Cairns were also instrumental in the comeback, as the Swing bullpen combined for seven innings of work, yielding only one unearned run.

Chad Blackwell (7-3) took the loss for Burlington. He ended the Swing rally in the eighth inning and tossed a 1-2-3 ninth, but was the victim of an unearned run in the tenth inning that ended the game.

In all Burlington committed five errors - three by the shortstop Perez - that led to three unearned runs.

Something about Saturdays brings out the best in the Swing, who have now won eight of nine Saturday home games, and are 14-4 on Saturday overall.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Bees continue the series on Sunday afternoon, as the Swing send Matt Scherer (8-6, 3.54) goes to the hill against Luis Cota (3-5, 3.09). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 1:45.

UPCOMING PROMOTION: Sunday's game will be the annual Deere Harvester Credit Union client appreciation day. In addition, it will be Family Fun Day, featuring clowns, caricatures and Kids Run the Bases after the game. Tickets are available for all Swing games by calling (563) 328-2000.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 6, 2005


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