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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing take back first place with three-hitter

August 14, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities jumped on top early and received strong pitching Monday night at Pohlman Field, using a 7-1 win over the Beloit Snappers to recapture sole possession of first place in the Midwest League's Western Division. Donnie Smith earned the win with seven strikeouts over five innings, combining with a pair of relievers for a three-hit shutout in which the Snappers were held hitless after the third.

Quad Cities (30-20, 64-54) took a half-game lead over the Snappers with the win, reversing the positions occupied by the two clubs entering Monday's contest. Beloit (30-21, 65-54) fell behind early and never recovered, as the Swing rallied for three runs in the top of the first to take control early.

With their sights set on first place, Quad Cities jumped all over Beloit before many of the fans had a chance to settle into their seats. Daniel Nelson opened the ballgame with an opposite-field double that split the gap in left-center, and after Shane Robinson singled to left Jon Jay was hit by a pitch. Mark Hamilton lived up to a clean-up hitter's billing with the bases loaded and nobody out, sending a line drive to right-center that cleared the bases for a three-run double. Though the next three hitters were retired in order, three quick runs before an out was recorded gave the Swing a 3-0 lead.

The lead had been cut to 3-1when Quad Cities widened the gap in the fifth. Robinson singled with one out and advanced all the way to third thanks to aggressive baserunning and a pair of passed balls. With the infield drawn in Jay lined a run-scoring single to left that was just out of the third baseman's reach. Later in the inning he was at second base, putting him in position to score on Tyler Greene's single for a 5-1 advantage.

Two more runs came home against Snappers' reliever Jose Cordero in the sixth. After Casey Rowlett and C.J. Smith drew walks to open the inning, a soft groundout by Daryl Jones moved the runners to second and third. Nelson then stepped to the plate and ripped a single into right field, plating both runners for a 7-1 edge.

Donnie Smith (3-1) turned in his second consecutive solid outing, fanning seven over five innings of work while holding the Snappers to one run on three hits. Three of his five innings were 1-2-3 frames, as the 23-year-old from Virginia has now won two consecutive starts.

Jason Motte relieved Smith with two perfect innings in the sixth and seventh and Scott Vander Weg chipped in with two hitless frames of his own to close it out. A leadoff walk in the ninth was the only Snappers' baserunner after the third inning, as the Swing trio on the mound retired 17 of the last 18 batters they faced.

Zach Ward (8-2) took his second consecutive loss after another tough outing, yielding five runs on six hits in five innings. Five strikeouts were not enough to overcome his wildness, as the right-hander hit two batters, uncorked two wild pitches, and walked one.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will continue their first-place battle with the Beloit Snappers on Tuesday night, as RHP Victor Moreno (0-2, 4.68) will take the mound opposite LHP Alexander Smit (6-1, 3.20). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 6:45 p.m.

NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will be back at John O'Donnell Stadium for two games on Friday and Saturday, the first part of a home-and-home series with the Burlington Bees.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The quick two-game series with Burlington will be loaded with promotions, as David Eckstein bobblehead dolls (Schommer Dental, Mediacom, Fox 18, Q106.5, The Dispatch/Argus/Leader, and the Boy Scouts) will be given away to the first 800 fans in the park on Friday, which will also be Boy Scout Night. Saturday's contest will be Keep Scott County Beautiful Night, and will feature post-game fireworks courtesy of KWQC and Q106.5.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 14, 2006


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