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Quad Cities River Bandits

Swing Rally Late, Win

August 19, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Quad Cities River Bandits News Release


The Swing of the Quad Cities were hitless heading into the ninth inning on Sunday afternoon, but a suicide squeeze highlighted a go-ahead rally in the top of the ninth that shocked the home crowd in a 2-1 victory over the Burlington Bees at Community Field.

Quad Cities (35-19, 73-50) mustered just one hit on the afternoon, yet managed to rally for two runs in the final frame to sneak out another comeback victory. Burlington (27-27, 57-66) lost despite a spectacular pitching performance by starter Blake Wood, who twirled eight no-hit innings before being removed due to a pitch count.

The Swing entered the ninth inning trailing by a 1-0 score and without a hit in the ballgame, but that all changed against Bees' reliever Ryan DiPietro. Antone DeJesus started the rally by drawing a four-pitch walk and stole second to move into scoring position. Daryl Jones followed by blooping an 0-2 pitch into shallow left-center for the only Swing hit of the ballgame, plating DeJesus to tie the score, 1-1.

After DiPietro was removed from the contest, an error and a walk helped the Swing load the bases with just one out. Christian Lopez followed by deadening a squeeze-bunt in front of the plate, bringing home Jones for the decisive run and a 2-1 lead.

Kenny Maiques (29) came on for the ninth, tossing a perfect frame to extend his franchise-record saves total and secure sole possession of the Midwest League lead. Meanwhile, the bullpen's 43rd save of the year also set a new single-season mark, eclipsing the previous record of 42 established by the Quad City River Bandits in 2001.

Kyle Mura (5-0) earned the win, retiring all five batters he faced out of the bullpen before the late Swing comeback. The loss went to DiPietro (5-9), who allowed two runs - one earned - and the only Quad Cities hit without retiring either of the two batters he faced.

Lost in the late drama was Wood's stellar performance, as the former third-round pick out of Georgia Tech did not allow a hit over eight shutout innings of work. He struck out five while walking two and allowing just three baserunners, but left the game following the eighth inning due to a pitch count that had reached 95.

Swing starter Clayton Mortensen also pitched well, checking in with five shutout innings. He allowed three hits while fanning four and walking one, stranding men at the corners in his final frame to get out of the only serious threat mounted against him. The supplemental first-round pick out of Gonzaga University negotiated a strict pitch count to toss five frames for the second time in seven starts with the Swing, lowering his ERA to 2.63.

The early pitcher's duel led to a scoreless tie until Burlington finally broke through in the bottom of the seventh. Brady Everett opened the frame with a double into the right-center gap against Swing reliever Kyle Sadlowski, and Jeff Howell showed bunt on the very next pitch. But while the Swing hand a bunt play on defensively, Howell took a full swing at the second offering and chopped a base hit through the vacated hole at shortstop, plating Everett for the 1-0 lead.

TICKETS: Tickets for all events at John O'Donnell Stadium can be purchased by calling the Swing of the Quad Cities ticket office at (563) 328-2000, coming to the box office located at the stadium along South Gaines Street, or by logging on to www.swingbaseball.com.

UP NEXT: The Swing are back at John O'Donnell Stadium to host the Clinton LumberKings on Monday! All Swing games feature a radio broadcast that can be heard on WKBF AM-1270 or online at www.swingbaseball.com, with the pre-game show starting 15 minutes prior to scheduled first pitch.

UPCOMING PROMOTIONS: The Swing return to JOD with a Happy Joe's 2-for-1 Night on a Kids Eat Free Monday. On Tuesday, the first 800 fans through the gates will get a free T-shirt courtesy of Trinity Regional Health System!!!

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