Whitecaps rally to beat Swing
July 7, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release
One day after the Swing rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Whitecaps, West Michigan returned the favor on Thursday afternoon. In front of a crowd of 3,066 on hand for a special noon Kids Day game, the Whitecaps scored three times in the ninth and three more times in the tenth before fighting off a furious Swing rally in the bottom of the tenth to hold on, 6-5, against Quad Cities.
Because the Cedar Rapids Kernels were victorious over Fort Wayne, the Swing (10-5, 46-38) are in a tie for first place entering this weekend's series against the Kernels, who have won five in a row.
The Swing jumped out to the early lead, scoring twice in the bottom of the first inning. Matt Lemanczyk opened the inning with a single into right, and then Eric Verbryke ripped a two-run homer over the sidewalk in right field, giving the Swing a 2-0 lead. The home run was Verbryke's third of the series, and fourth in his last five games.
Quad Cities added a crucial insurance run in the bottom of the eighth inning. Matt Shepherd blasted a one-out double into the left-center gap, and then Rick Ankiel's double into the right field corner scored Shepherd for a 3-0 Swing lead.
The Whitecaps got all three runs back to tied it up in the top of the ninth inning. Justin Justice ripped a solo home run to right field, and then back-to-back walks and an infield single loaded the bases with one out. Luis Sabino knocked in a run with a sharp groundball to first base, and then Wilkin Ramirez tied the game when he beat the relay throw to first on a near double play.
After Kevin Ardoin struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extra frames, the Whitecaps scored three more times to take the lead. With two outs and two men on, Brent Dlugach's hit a sinking line drive to right. Verbryke's diving attempt came up short, and the ball skipped all the way to the wall for a two-run triple. Dlugach came home to score on an infield single from Luis Sabino.
The Swing rallied one final time in the bottom of the tenth, as Matt Shepherd, Verbryke and Jake Mullinax loaded the bases with walks. Mike Ferris hit a sharp single into right to score two runs and to move Mullinax - the tying run - to third base. But Whitecaps closer Anthony Tomey coaxed a popout from Nick Stavinoha to end the ballgame.
Lost in the late-inning drama was a tremendous outing from Phillip Andersen, who carried a three-hit shutout into the eighth inning. Andersen struck out a season-high eight while walking only one but came up short in a bid for his third straight win. Mike Sillman walked two men in the ninth and was charged with his fourth blown save in 21 chances, while Jaymie Torres allowed the three tenth-inning runs for his first loss of the year.
West Michigan's Josh Kauten matched Andersen pitch-for-pitch. After allowing two first-inning runs on four hits, Kauten did not allow another base hit in his six innings of work. Ardoin struck out the side in the ninth and got the first two outs of the tenth for his second in five outings.
UP NEXT: The Swing begin a four-game series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Friday night, as Quad Cities sends Tyler Admaczyk (1-2, 12.56) to the mound against Karl Gelinas (4-5, 3.84). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00, and pregame coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 6:45.
PROMOTIONS: Friday's game will be followed by spectacular fireworks, courtesy of i-wireless, KWQC-TV6, and Progressive Talk AM-1270. Tickets for all Swing games are available by calling the Swing at (563) 328-2000.
Midwest League Stories from July 7, 2005
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- Lansing takes three of four from Dragons with 6-1 win in series finale - Dayton Dragons
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- Beloit Snappers notebook - Beloit Sky Carp
- Whitecaps rally to beat Swing - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Torres wins first, Toussaint powers Kernels to fifth in a row - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Last minute wins becoming habit - West Michigan Whitecaps
- McIntyre named Tigers minor league player of the month - West Michigan Whitecaps
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- Lucas Activated, Begins Suspension - Burlington Bees
- Playing dress up - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Fan Fest Coming this Weekend - Dayton Dragons
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