Swing sweep second double header in three days
Published on August 29, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release
The Swing of the Quad Cities won both ends of a doubleheader Tuesday night at John O'Donnell Stadium, using a late suicide squeeze in game one to pull out a 4-3 victory before a seven-run outburst in the opening inning of the nightcap cemented their sweep over the Kane County Cougars. It was the second sweep in three days for the Swing and their fourth of the season, as Quad Cities improved to 12-6 in doubleheader games this year and 7-1 in such games since the All-Star break.
Quad Cities (39-24, 73-58) improved to a season-best 15 games above .500 with the two wins, and are now 30-9 at home since June 6 and 23-7 in the second half. Kane County (37-27, 77-56) dropped to 2.5 games behind the Swing in the race for first place in the Midwest League's Western Division, marking the first time since August 3 that any team in the West has had a lead larger than a half-game.
Jon Jay and Tyler Greene each went 3-for-3 in game one, but the Swing needed to squeak out single runs in each of their last four offensive chances to pull out the win.
The Swing got on the board first in the bottom of the third inning thanks to Daryl Jones. The fleet-footed 19-year-old pulled a groundball inside the first base line and motored all the way to third for a leadoff triple. Later in the frame there were men at the corners when Jay roped a one-out single to right that gave Quad Cities a 1-0 lead.
After Anthony Recker tied the game at one with a run-scoring double in the top of the fourth, the Swing came right back to recapture the lead in the bottom half of the frame. Greene led off the inning with his 13th home run since joining the Swing, giving them a 2-1 lead. One inning later Casey Rowlett drew a leadoff walk, eventually coming home to score on a wild pitch to push the advantage to 3-1.
Isaac Omura brought the Cougars back in the top of the sixth inning with a two-run home run to tie the game at three, but the Swing were determined to recapture the lead. Greene led off with a single, and with one out was able to steal second base and advance to third thanks to an errant throw. He stood 90 feet away when Daniel Nelson squared to bunt on a suicide squeeze play, laying it down perfectly as Greene raced home to give Quad Cities the decisive 4-3 edge.
Jonathan Mikrut (3-1) earned the win after striking out the only two batters he faced to get out of the top of the sixth, and Chris Perez earned his 11th save in as many professional chances after a scoreless top of the seventh. The loss went to Branden Dewing (0-2), who allowed the winning run to score in his two innings of relief work.
After pulling out the game one victory in dramatic fashion, Quad Cities put away the nightcap early with a seven-run explosion in the first inning. Chad Gabriel led the way with a grand slam and five runs driven in, while Jay homered and Rowlett reached base in all five of his plate appearances.
Eight consecutive Swing batters reached base with one out in the first, including five hits in a row at one point. Greene started the scoring with a single that plated Rowlett, and two batters later the bases were loaded for Gabriel. After sitting out game one, the 22-year-old California native turned on the first pitch he saw in game two and blasted a grand slam to left field. C.J. Smith and Jay added run-scoring hits after a pitching change, and Quad Cities seized control of the game early with a 7-0 lead.
Not only was Gabriel's grand slam the first of the season for Quad Cities - coming in game number 131 - but it made a very happy fan out of season ticket holder Paul Taylor. Taylor, who selected Gabriel as part of the Valley Bank Home Run Inning promotion, won $1,625 courtesy of the grand slam that entitled him to a pot of money that had been building since opening day.
The action continued for Taylor and the rest of the Swing faithful with more offense from the home team. Quad Cities added one run in the second on Henry Guerrero's base hit. After Kane County put three runs on the board in the third the Swing answered by following suit in their half of the inning, highlighted by an RBI-double from pinch-hitter Mark Hamilton. The icing on the cake came in the sixth, when Jay slugged his fourth home run of the year to arrive at the 13-4 final.
Jason Motte (1-0) earned his first Swing win in relief of starter Donnie Smith. The loss went to Ron Madej (2-7), who lasted only .1 innings while allowing six runs on four hits and two walks.
UP NEXT: The Swing will continue their series with the Kane County Cougars on Wednesday night, as RHP Adam Ottavino (1-3, 4.08) will take the mound opposite LHP Joe Piekarz (8-6, 3.37). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 6:15 p.m.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: US Cellular Night at the ballpark will be on Wednesday, which will also feature the Ringling Brothers, Barnum & Bailey Circus. The homestand will conclude with a 97 Rock Thirsty Thursday on Thursday, the final day of August.
Midwest League Stories from August 29, 2006
- Lugnuts rally in ninth for win - Lansing Lugnuts
- Cougars swept in doubleheader - Kane County Cougars
- Swing sweep second double header in three days - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Bees and Kernels suspended by rain - Burlington Bees
- Three Rattler pitchers shut out Peoria - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Chiefs blanked 3-0 by Rattlers - Peoria Chiefs
- Dragons bats sputter in double header sweep - Dayton Dragons
- Whitecaps rally to tie, then give game to Lansing - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Kernels and Bees suspended after one inning - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Swing, John Deere team up for playoffs - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons Will Play Back-to-Back Doubleheaders - Dayton Dragons
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