Swing sweep Rattlers
June 26, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
FOX CITIES STADIUM -- The Swing of the Quad Cities defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 11-8 Sunday afternoon to conclude a four game series sweep. Eric Verbryke had three hits and three RBI to lead the way offensively for the Swing.
Rick Ankiel put the Swing in front 2-0 with a two run homer in the top of the first. Verbryke hit the next pitch over the wall in right for a 3-0 lead.
Quad Cities (40-33 overall, 4-0 second half) added three runs with two outs in the top of the second. A two-out, two-run double by Verbryke was followed by an RBI single by Jake Mullinax.
Wisconsin (39-35, 0-4) didn't look like they would rally in the bottom of the second, but they did. There were two out and no runners on when Matt Tuiasosopo was hit by a pitch on a 2-2 count. Rob Johnson singled to keep the inning going. Brandon Green singled and drove in Tuiasosopo. Oswaldo Navarro walked to load the bases. Then, it got weird.
Yung Chi Chen worked the count full, so -- with two outs -- the runners were off on the payoff pitch. Chen sent a chopper down the third base line that Matt Shepherd fielded in fair territory, but his momentum carried him into foul ground. He threw wildly to first and the ball wound up in the Swing bullpen. Two runs had already scored when Quad Cities first baseman Mike Ferris threw to the plate to try and get Navarro, but the ball sailed into the stands and not only did Navarro score, but Chen did as well to pull the Rattlers to within 6-5.
Quad Cities added two runs in the top of the fifth. Wes Swackhamer tripled in the first run and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ferris.
The Rattlers closed the gap to one run with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Tuiasosopo singled in one run. Green made it 8-7 with his second RBI single of the game.
A two-out RBI double by Calvin Hayes in the top of the eighth inning gave the Swing a 9-7 lead.
Oswaldo Navarro hit a homer to lead off the Rattler half of the eighth to pull Wisconsin back to within a run at 9-8.
But, the Swing got two insurance runs in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Mullinax and a sacrifice fly by Swackhamer.
Swing closer Mike Sillman pitched a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth inning for his third save of the series and seventeenth of the season.
The Rattlers travel to John O'Donnell Stadium to begin a three game series with the Swing in Davenport, Iowa on Monday night. Casey Abrams (3-5, 3.68ERA) will get the call as the starting pitcher for Wisconsin. Phillip Andersen (1-1, 2.86ERA) is scheduled to start for the Swing. Game time is 7:00pm.
Midwest League Stories from June 26, 2005
- Kernels split with Chiefs - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Chiefs Split DoubleHeader For Third Time This Season - Peoria Chiefs
- Fort Wayne Ends Dragons Win Streak at Three with 4-2 Win - Dayton Dragons
- Swing sweep Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Lugnuts win streak snapped at five - Lansing Lugnuts
- Rusty Brown Clubs 3 Home Runs in Bees Win - Burlington Bees
- Walk-off blast in ninth edges Cougars - Kane County Cougars
- Third baseman delivers game winning hit - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Swing hold on for sweep of Rattlers - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Southwest Michigan's weekend ends with third loss - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Swing activate draft pick - Quad Cities River Bandits
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