MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Verbryke's slam keys comeback

Published on July 6, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Eric Verbryke blasted a grand slam to cap a six-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning as the Swing of the Quad Cities rallied from an early 3-0 deficit to defeat the West Michigan Whitecaps, 9-3, on Wednesday night at John O'Donnell Stadium. Matt Scherer went six strong innings to pick up the victory for the Swing, who remain in first place two weeks into the second half of the season.

Down 3-2 entering the bottom of the sixth inning, the Swing rallied to take a commanding lead. Jake Mullinax ripped a double over the head of centerfielder Luis Sabino, and then hustled safely to third on a groundball from Juan Lucena. Chris Patrick followed with a game-tying groundball single to third.

After a strikeout from Calvin Hayes, Matt Lemanczyk reached on an error when he sharply grounded to third, loading the bases for Matt Shepherd. Shepherd lined a single off of first baseman Josh Lee, bringing home Lucena for the Swing lead. Then Verbryke blasted an 0-1 pitch high to right field, the Swing's sixth grand slam of the season for an 8-3 Quad Cities lead.

Verbryke's home run was his third in his last four days with the Swing, and his fourth in just one month with the Swing. In 20 games with Quad Cities, Verbryke has batted .380 with four home runs, eight doubles, and 23 RBI.

The Swing would add insurance in the bottom of the eighth inning, as Lemanczyk and Shepherd had back-to-back doubles.

The Whitecaps started off the scoring in the top of the second, as former University of Illinois catcher Chris Robinson grounded out to score Luis Sabino. The Whitecaps added two more runs in the third inning. Nick McIntyre was hit by a pitch to start the inning, and Jeff Frazier followed with a double. Brent Dlugach had a sacrifice fly in the inning, and Frazier came in to score on an infield single from Luis Sabino.

The Swing started on the comeback trail in the bottom of the fourth frame, scoring twice to make it a one-run game. Nick Stavinoha and Spencer Wyman started the inning with singles, and Mullinax reached on a fielder's choice. After a bounceout from Lucena plated Stavinoha, Patrick singled into left. Hayes followed with a two-out infield single up the middle, and Lucena came into score when the throw from second baseman Brooks Colvin sailed into the dugout.

The Swing pitching staff was tremendous, not allowing a base hit after the third inning. Scherer picked up his third straight win for Quad Cities, improving to 5-5 on the season. Scherer has gone six innings or more in nine of his last ten outings, and six in a row.

Jason Cairns also looked solid in his second outing in a Swing uniform. After walking the first man he faced, the Cardinals' eighth rounder retired six in a row, inducing four groundball outs. Dennis Medina then finished things off with a perfect ninth inning, striking out one.

Andrew Kown (4-7) suffered the loss for West Michigan, allowing eight runs (six earned) on 12 hits in 5.1 innings.

Quad Cities (10-4, 46-37) remains in sole possession of first place with the win, as they started the day one game ahead of Cedar Rapids in the Midwest League's Western Division. In the East, West Michigan (8-6, 42-42) began the day in second place, a game behind South Bend.

With the win the Swing were guaranteed at least a series split, avoiding a series loss for the fourth consecutive set to start the second half. With a win tomorrow, they will have won three of four second half series'.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Whitecaps get set for the finale Thursday night, with RHP Phillip Andersen (2-1, 2.55) making the start against RHP Josh Kauten (3-1, 3.38). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 6:45.

PROMOTIONS: Thursday's day game will take place at a special Noon starting time, as area campers and daycare centers will root on the Swing during Kids Day. City of Davenport fire trucks will also be on hand to sprinkle the crowd and help fans "Beat the Heat."

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Midwest League Stories from July 6, 2005


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