Turnabout fair play as Lansing rallies late for win
August 3, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release
The Swing of the Quad Cities got a taste of their own medicine Thursday night at Oldsmobile Park, as a critical eighth-inning error opened the door for three runs to break a previously tied ballgame in a 6-4 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts. Every game this series has been tied at some point during the eighth inning or later, but it was the Swing emerging victorious in each of the first two games of the set.
Quad Cities (23-17, 57-51) missed an opportunity to pull into a first-place tie with Kane County, dropping to one full game behind the rained-out Cougars. Lansing (17-24, 57-51) overcame two errors that led to the game-tying run in the sixth inning, and has committed 10 miscues in the series.
With the score tied at three in the bottom of the eighth, Josh Bell's single started the Lugnuts' rally. Two wild pitches moved him to third base, and pinch-runner Yuber Rodriguez stepped in at first after a walk. Reliever Matt Trent entered the game and induced a potential double play ball hit towards the second baseman, but when Casey Rowlett's throw to second was dropped by Tyler Greene, Bell came home to score the tie-breaking run and Rodriguez advanced to third. Moments later a passed ball allowed Rodriguez to score, and Anthony Garibaldi singled home the final run of the inning for a 6-3 lead.
The Swing scored one run in the ninth inning, as Mark Hamilton crushed a long solo home run to right. It was the Tulane product's first home run with Quad Cities after leading Conference USA in longballs in 2006 and leading the New York-Penn League in homers at the time of his promotion. It was not enough, however, as three strikeouts in the inning gave Sean Stidfole his third save of the year.
Lansing reliever Adrian Martin (6-1) got the win after three strong innings, allowing one unearned run without allowing a hit or issuing a walk. The loss went to Jason Cairns (2-4), who allowed two runs - one earned - in 2.1 innings of work.
With first place on their minds, the Swing jumped out to a lead in the top of the first inning Thursday night. Shane Robinson was hit by a pitch to open the game, and the speedy Florida State product motored around the bases to score from first when Rowlett belted a double into the left-center field gap. Rowlett was at third with one out when Greene lined a single over the head of the shortstop, giving Quad Cities a 2-0 edge before the fans had a chance to settle into their seats.
In the bottom of the second, the Lugnuts got on the board. Bell reached base thanks to a one-out walk and moved to second on an infield groundout. Zack Kalter followed by shooting a groundball the other way through the left side of the infield, scoring Bell to cut the lead to 2-1.
With two outs and the bases empty in the fourth, Lansing rallied to take the lead. Consecutive singles put men on first and second, setting the stage for Kalter to drive home Bell with a two-out single for the second time in the game. The base hit also advanced Brian Bormaster to second, and he was able to cross the plate one batter later when Garibaldi sent a bouncing ball towards the second baseman. The ball kicked off of the heel of Rowlett's glove, bouncing into right field and allowing the Lugnuts to snag a 3-2 lead.
The Swing fought back in the sixth, taking advantage of a pair of Lansing errors to tie the game. Greene reached base on a fielding error by Sean Shoffit, advancing to second on a groundout. With two away Daniel Nelson's groundball slipped under the glove of the shortstop Garibaldi, bringing home Greene to even the score at 3-3.
UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will close out their series in Lansing on Friday night, as LHP Adam Daniels (7-8, 3.01) will take the mound for the Swing opposite RHP Kristian Bell (6-6, 3.88) of the Lugnuts. First pitch is scheduled for 6:05 p.m. CDT and coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 will begin at 5:50 p.m.
NEXT HOMESTAND: The Swing will return to Davenport on Saturday for an eight-game homestand that will last from August 5-13, as the Clinton LumberKings and West Michigan Whitecaps will each come to town for four games.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The next homestand will kickoff on Saturday as WQPT will bring Clifford the Big Red Dog to John O'Donnell Stadium and a fireworks display (KWQ/WQPT/B-100) will follow the game. Sunday will be the Optimists Youth Appreciation Day as well as a Mix 96 Family Fun Day, and a Q106.5 $1 Monday comes your way on Monday. One day later Tasty Tuesday will come to JOD, as fans will have the opportunity to sample beers from area breweries and vote on their favorite. If you like free T-shirts, come to the ballpark early on Friday, August 11, to take advantage of an i-wireless/KWQC/River 104.9 giveaway. The best promotion of the bunch might be on Saturday, August 12, when the first 500 fans will receive baseballs autographed by past and present major leaguers as well as Swing players. A KWQC/WKBF fireworks show will follow the game. Bring your pups out to the homestand finale on Sunday, August 13, while will be Dog Day sponsored by Happy Dog Bakery as well as a Mix 96 Family Fun Day.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from August 3, 2006
- Cortes fans nine in win over Clinton - Burlington Bees
- Lugnuts turn tables on Swing - Lansing Lugnuts
- No Moore losing streak for the Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Beloit snaps two game skid - Beloit Sky Carp
- Hawks drowned by Whitecaps - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Turnabout fair play as Lansing rallies late for win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Former Dragon shuts down Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Chiefs make it three straight with 7-3 win - Peoria Chiefs
- Hot hitting returns in blowout of South Bend - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Cougars and Devil Rays Rained Out - Kane County Cougars
- Devil Rays Game Postponed - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Swing add two new promotions to lineup - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kernels fall to Chiefs, 6-2, as Taylor spins complete game - Cedar Rapids Kernels
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
