MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing Swept Away In Beloit

Published on September 3, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Tempers reached a boiling point on Monday afternoon at Pohlman Field, as the Swing of the Quad Cities finished off the regular season with three ejections and their seventh consecutive loss after a 6-2 defeat at the hands of the Beloit Snappers.

Quad Cities (40-30, 78-61) was swept in a four-game series for the first time this season, but will attempt to shake off the losing streak as they get set to face the Snappers in game one of their first-round playoff series at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday night at John O'Donnell Stadium. Beloit (35-35, 79-61) will send Alex Burnett to the mound against Swing starter Tyler Herron, while Davenport residents will be eligible for half-price tickets on "Davenport Day."

Tempers flared and frustration boiled over for the Swing during the Monday afternoon loss. Frustrated with the umpiring crew all weekend long as well as a poor finish down the stretch, a bevy of ejections marked the Labor Day matinee.

Base umpire Jeff Gosney ejected manager Keith Mitchell in the bottom of the third after Oliver Marmol snared a bases-loaded liner, but the runner at third base was called safe after an attempt to double him up. One inning later Tyler Henley took a called strike that appeared to be ankle-high, and Swing catcher Nick Derba was tossed from the dugout by plate umpire Phil Henry for arguing the call. In the top of the sixth pitching coach Bryan Eversgerd joined the two in the clubhouse, ejected by Henry in response to collective chirping from the Swing dugout.

Early on the Swing started the ballgame off on the right foot, striking for a run in the top of the first. Daryl Jones singled with one out, stole second base, and moved to third on a throwing error. Tony Cruz followed by slugging an opposite-field triple to the wall in right, plating Jones for a 1-0 lead.

But in the bottom of the first, the Snappers struck back. Joe Benson led off with a broken-bat infield single as Cruz had to work around the stick flying towards him, and a pair of groundouts moved Benson to third with two away. Deibinson Romero then hit a liner up the middle that caromed off the pitcher's glove, leading to another infield single and tying the score. Chris Parmelee and Greg Yersich followed with back-to-back singles, with the base hit by Yersich scoring Romero for a 2-1 Snappers' lead.

While the Swing failed to convert with two men in scoring position and nobody out in the top of the second, Beloit added to their lead in the ensuing frames.

Benson's RBI-triple in the bottom of the second made it a 3-1 ballgame, and one inning later Parmelee and Yersich were hit by the first two pitches of the frame. Parmelee eventually came around to score on Chris Cates' groundout, and Benson legged out an infield single - his third hit of the game - to drive home Yersich for the 5-1 score.

Clayton Mortensen (0-2) took the loss, pitching on three days rest after the Swing were forced to use scheduled spot starter Chuckie Fick to get through Sunday's ballgame. The 36th overall pick in the 2007 draft, who had previously been slated to pitch game one of the first-round playoff series on Wednesday, was roughed up for five runs - four earned - on nine hits over three innings of work.

Matthew Fox (7-2) earned the win for Beloit, allowing just the first-inning run over six strong innings of work. He scattered five hits while fanning three and walking one.

TICKETS: Tickets for all events at John O'Donnell Stadium can be purchased by calling the Swing of the Quad Cities ticket office at (563) 328-2000, coming to the box office located at the stadium along South Gaines Street, or by logging on to www.swingbaseball.com.

UP NEXT: The Swing are heading to the playoffs, beginning with an opening-round match-up on Wednesday at John O'Donnell Stadium! All Swing games feature a radio broadcast that can be heard on WKBF AM-1270 or online at www.swingbaseball.com, with the pre-game show starting 15 minutes prior to scheduled first pitch.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The Swing will host a first-round playoff matchup against Beloit on Wednesday evening at 6:30 p.m. at John O'Donnell Stadium. The ballgame has been dubbed Davenport Day, and all residents of Davenport will be eligible for half-price tickets with proof of residency.

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Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2007


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