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MWL1 Quad Cities River Bandits

Wizards walk to win

July 21, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


Swing staff equals season-high with ten walks; McCormick works 5.2 scoreless innings in MWL debut

Eric Verbryke blasted a game-tying solo home run in the bottom of the tenth inning but the Fort Wayne Wizards tallied the winning run on a wild pitch in the top of the eleventh as Fort Wayne topped the Swing, 2-1, on Thursday night at John O'Donnell Stadium. The Swing pitching staff walked a season-high ten men, including six free passes in extra innings, as the Swing lost their third straight contest for the first time since the All-Star break.

Righthander Mark McCormick was fantastic in his Swing debut, as he worked 5.2 scoreless innings and allowed only three balls to leave the infield. Of McCormick's four hits allowed, two were infield singles from Matt Bush, the first-overall selection in the 2004 draft. McCormick, the 43rd-overall selection in last month's draft, allowed the leadoff man to reach on four different occasions, and coaxed a double play groundball each time. McCormick, who uncorked mid-90's fastballs with regularity on the night, also showed a biting curveball. The righthander walked three and struck out one, and has not allowed a run in 11.2 professional innings in his first three starts.

Fort Wayne starter Clayton Hamilton matched McCormick pitch-for-pitch, working seven scoreless innings, before Ryan Klatt and Ricky Steik each had scoreless frames.

The Wizards broke through with the game's first run in the top half of the tenth inning. Swing closer Jason Cairns issued back-to-back walks to start the inning before giving way to Jaymie Torres. After a sacrifice bunt and an intentional walk, Torres missed off the inside corner with a close 3-2 fastball to walk Yordany Ramirez for the game's first run.

But the Swing tied it up against Matt Varner, the Midwest League's saves leader, in the bottom half of the inning. After fouling off consecutive two-strike pitches, Verbryke ripped a fastball to the other side the sloping grass berm in right field, his sixth home run for the Swing. The blast was only the fourth allowed by Varner in 37 appearances, and moved the game onto the 11th frame.

Matt Thayer singled to left to open the top of the 11th and then stole second base without a throw. After a flyball to deep left field, Brett Dowdy bounced out to move Thayer to third. Lefthander Bo Dickerson issued a two-out walk to Mike Baxter before a wild pitch brought home Thayer from third for the winning run.

Quad Cities was unable to mount a threat against Kyle Stutes in the bottom half of the frame, as he sent down the Swing in order.

The Swing (17-10, 53-43) have lost three straight games for the first time since the All-Star break, but remain one game ahead of second-place Kane County. The Wizards (11-16, 49-48), the Eastern Division's first half wild card, have won nine of their last 12 games since starting the second half on a 2-13 slump.

Michael Gross retired all four men he faced in his first game back from the disabled list, while Mike Sillman twirled a perfect eighth inning, striking out one, for the Swing.

UP NEXT: The Swing and Wizards will square off for game two of their four-game set Friday night, with Quad Cities sending RHP Matt Scherer (7-5, 3.55) to the mound against RHP Joel Santo (2-7, 5.12). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00, and pre-game coverage on WKBF AM-1270 will begin at 6:45.

PROMOTION: The ballgame Friday night will be followed by fireworks, sponsored by KWQC TV-6 and The River 104.9 FM.

Check out the Quad Cities River Bandits Statistics



Midwest League Stories from July 21, 2005


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