MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing win 13-0

Published on June 25, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


With recent promotions and roster additions, Swing manager Joe Cunningham unveiled a completely retooled lineup on Saturday night. The changes worked, and in a big way, as the Swing knocked around the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for 13 runs on a season-high 20 base hits as Quad Cities destroyed the Timber Rattlers, 13-0, on Saturday night at John O'Donnell Stadium. The Swing have won four in a row and six of their last seven overall, and are tied with Beloit atop the MWL-West with a perfect 3-0 start to the second half.

Several Swing players found themselves in new spots on Saturday night, as Chris Patrick batted out of the cleanup spot for the first time all season, ahead of Eric Verbryke, returning the lineup in the fifth spot in the order. In addition, Jake Mullinax made his first start of the season at first base, while Rick Ankiel replaced promoted center fielder Simon Williams as the captain of the outfield. Unfazed by their new spots, everybody produced in a big Swing win. Seven different Swing players had more than one hit, including a 4-for-6 day from Juan Lucena, and three RBI apiece for Patrick and Mullinax.

After leaving four men on base through the first two innings, the Swing used five singles to take a 3-0 lead in the top of the third inning. Lucena ripped a single to center, and then Ankiel dropped a flare into shallow left. After a sacrifice bunt attempt resulted in a putout at third base, Verbryke ripped an RBI single to right to score Ankiel. Spencer Wyman then had a two-out run-scoring single to left, and Matt Shepherd capped the rally with a lined single past the shortstop, scoring Verbryke for a 3-0 Swing lead.

Quad Cities recorded seven straight base hits in the top of the fourth inning to put the game away early. Lucena singled, and then Ankiel doubled into left-center. Chris Patrick followed with a single, and then Verbryke had a swinging bunt base hit. Then Jake Mullinax had a two-run base hit, and Wyman knocked home Mullinax with a knock, before getting thrown out on a cutoff play. Shepherd's double into right was the final hit of the inning, although he was stranded at second. When the dust settled, the Swing led 8-0 and had banged out 14 base hits after 14 innings.

The Swing swung their way to three more runs in the fifth inning, as Lucena had a run-scoring double, Patrick drove home a run with a single, and Shepherd drew a walk to score a run. The Swing capped their scoring in the top of the sixth frame, as Patrick knocked home Lucena with a single and Mullinax drove in Ankiel with a base hit to center.

Matt Scherer picked up the win for the Swing, allowing only four hits in six scoreless innings, in the longest scoreless outing of his pro career. The appearance was Scherer's sixth quality start in his last eight outings. Brian Miller twirled two scoreless innings, striking out the side in the eighth, while Wayne Lundgren worked a scoreless ninth.

The shutout was the fourth of the season for the Swing, and their first since Dennis Dove's rain-shortened five-inning, 1-0 shutout against Beloit on May 11. In addition, the Swing did not commit an error for the third straight game, the first time this season they have had three straight miscue-free games.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Timber Rattlers close out the series on Sunday afternoon, as the Swing send Kyle McClellan (1-3, 4.44) to the mound against Jason Snyder (8-5, 3.5). First pitch is scheduled for 1:05, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 12:50.

UPCOMING HOMESTAND: After four road games, the Swing return home for their first home series of the second half against Wisconsin from Monday, June 27, through Wednesday, June 29. Tuesday's game will be Black and Gold Night as well as DARE Night at John O'Donnell Stadium, while Wednesday's game will be a Hooters/97 Rock Beverage Night, John Deere Collector's Night, and Beach Party theme night with the Swing. Tickets are available by calling (563) 328-2000.

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Midwest League Stories from June 25, 2005


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