MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Williams' late single downs Kernels

April 29, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities scored four times in the final two innings and Simon Williams drilled the game-winning single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth as the Swing of the Quad Cities defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels, 5-4, on Friday night at John O'Donnell Stadium. The Swing's bottom three spots in the batting order combined for seven base hits, including Jake Mullinax's first home run of the year to start the comeback in the bottom of the eighth.

With the Swing (10-11) trailing 4-1 heading to the bottom of the eighth inning, Quad Cities plated three runs against Cedar Rapids reliever Francisco Cordova. Mullinax drilled a solo homer to left-center to open the frame, and Wes Swackamer grounded a double into left. Matt Lemanczyk followed with an RBI single to bring the Swing within a run. After Lemanczyk stole second and Matt Shepherd drew a walk, a fielder's choice and a double-play breakup by Shepherd put men at the corners with two away. Cordova's pitch squirted past the catch, and Lemanczyk sprinted home for the tying run.

Swing closer Mike Sillman worked a scoreless top of the ninth, stranding Kernels runners at first and second. After Cordova retired the first two men of the home half of the ninth, Mullinax drilled a two-out base hit. After Swackhamer drew a four-pitch walk, Williams stroked a single into center. Mullinax sprinted around from second and scored the winning run without a throw as Quad Cities defeated Cedar Rapids, 5-4.

Sillman nabbed his second win of the season for the Swing, and has not allowed a run in 11.2 frames of work on the season. The Swing closer has allowed only four base hits and has recorded 15 strikeouts.

Mullinax was playing his first game since being hit in the hand with a pitch on Tuesday, and went 3-for-4 with two singles and a home run. Swackhamer, fresh off his first homer of the season, reached base twice. Williams, playing for the second time since being drilled with a pitch in the helmet on Tuesday, was 3-for-4 with a double and two singles, including the game-winning RBI.

The Swing took an early lead when Jarrett Hoffpauir slapped a double to left-center, plating Matt Lemanczyk. Lemanczyk had doubled to left to open the inning and advanced to third on Matt Shepherd's sacrifice bunt.

After Cedar Rapids (9-12) tied it with a sacrifice fly in the top of the second, the Kernels plated an unearned run to take the lead in the fifth inning. After Jordan Renz reached on an error, Richard Giannotti doubled him to third, and Sean Rodriguez drove in the lead run with a groundout. Warner Madrigal's homer made it a 3-1 game in the sixth, and Drew Touissant came in on a wild pitch for a 4-1 Kernels lead in the eighth.

Matt Scherer worked six innings in his second Swing start, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits and striking out four. Kevin Ool allowed a run in 1.2 innings, his first run allowed in six outings, and Michael Gross retired the only man he faced. Since starting 2-8, the Swing have gone 7-3 and are in fourth place in the MWL-West.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Kernels continue the series on Saturday, as Dennis Dove (0-2, 5.32) gets the call against Fernando Rodriguez (1-0, 3.10). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., and coverage on Progressive Talk AM 1270 will begin at 1:45.

PROMOTION: Saturday will be the second annual Genesis Health System Day at John O'Donnell Stadium, as the Swing welcome the employees and clients of Genesis Health System.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from April 29, 2005


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