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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Unearned runs burn Swing in loss

June 13, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities could not overcome three costly errors Tuesday night at C.O. Brown Stadium, dropping a 6-2 decision to the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays. All six of the Devil Rays' runs were unearned, as the Swing have now lost seven of eight contests in Battle Creek over the past two seasons.

Quad Cities (30-33) will take advantage of a day off Wednesday before welcoming in the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for a doubleheader on Thursday. Southwest Michigan (32-33) will finish out the first half with a four-game set in Dayton.

The game was scoreless heading into the bottom of the third when the Devil Rays took advantage of a crucial error to plate four runs. With one out Eric Durante's groundball snuck through the legs of second baseman Jose Martinez, setting the stage for a furious two-out rally. With men on second and third and a full count, J.T. Hall blasted his second home run in as many days well beyond the right field wall. Garrett Groce followed with a double and scored on a single by Rhyne Hughes, giving Southwest Michigan a 4-0 lead courtesy of four unearned runs.

Quad Cities chipped away at that deficit over the next two innings. With two outs and the bases empty in the fourth Colby Rasmus turned on a pitch and sent it into right-center field, clearing the fence for the third consecutive game. Chad Gabriel hit a leadoff single in the fifth inning and came around to score on a two-out knock by Luis Cotto that pulled the Swing to within 4-2.

Unearned runs, however, continued to haunt the Swing over the next few innings. With two outs and the bases empty in the fifth Martinez fielded a bouncing ball up the middle, but his throw towards first was low and A.J. Van Slyke could not dig it out. That allowed Hall to reach, and he crossed the plate two batters later on another run-scoring single by Hughes.

In the seventh, Jackson Brennan reached to open the frame on a throwing error by Luis Cotto. He was at third base with the infield drawn in and one out when Hall hit a high chopper that bounced over Daniel Nelson's head at third to allow another run to score. The Devil Rays took a 6-2 lead on the strength of six unearned runs.

Hall had a monster final two games for Southwest Michigan, going 5-for-8 with two homers, two doubles, three runs scored, and six driven in on Monday and Tuesday.

Cory Meacham (5-4) was tagged with the loss, touched for five unearned runs on six hits in five innings of work. He struck out two and walked one, but was unable to recover from the initial error in the third inning that set the stage for Hall's home run.

Victor Moreno hurled two innings in his Swing debut, fanning three while allowing one unearned run on one hit. The 23-year-old Dominican spent his first two professional seasons with the Angels' organization before pitching in Puerto Rico during the 2005 campaign.

Greg Reinhard (3-5) was the winner, tossing seven solid innings and allowing two runs on eight hits. The righty struck out four without issuing a walk, and has now won two consecutive starts after beginning the year 0-5.

UP NEXT: The Swing of the Quad Cities will close out the first half of the season with a home series against Wisconsin that kicks off with a doubleheader on Thursday, as LHP Adam Daniels (2-5, 4.38) will take the mound against LHP Harold Williams (1-3, 3.42) in the opener and LHP Jaime Garcia (4-4, 3.06) will twirl the nightcap opposite LHP Jose Escalona (4-5, 4.03). First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., with coverage on Progressive Talk AM-1270 beginning at 5:15 p.m.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: Not only will the homestand kickoff with a doubleheader on Thursday, but it will also be a 97 Rock/Pluckers Thirsty Thursday. The Girl Scouts will be at the ballpark Friday night, as the 2006 Trading Card Set will be given away to fans at the gates. KWQC and WKBF will bring you fireworks after Saturday night's ballgame, and close out the first half with a Mix 96 Family Fun Day and a pedometer giveaway on Genesis Employee Day on Sunday.

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Midwest League Stories from June 13, 2006


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