MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Kings' Comeback Halted Amidst Controversy

Published on August 14, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - The Clinton LumberKings had the tying runs racing towards home on an apparent extra-base hit by Tim Smith down the left field line, but the home plate umpire ruled foul and Burlington ultimately prevailed with a 6-4 win.

The Kings entered the bottom of the ninth trailing 6-3 and facing Bees' lefty Brent Fisher. After Kyle Murphy struck out for the first out, Andres James waved at strike three, but catcher Joe Billick dropped the ball and his throw to first got away from Jason Taylor, sending James all the way to third.

Engel Beltre chopped a single through the right side to plate James, cutting the deficit to a run. Matt Lawson then coaxed a four-pitch walk to put the tying runs on, and Smith followed with a liner that appeared to hit the chalk line in left. As Beltre and Lawson both reached the plate, the call for "foul" was raised, sending the Clinton bench and the 1,128 in attendance into a frenzy.

Manager Mike Micucci was ejected, and Smith continued the at-bat with a 3-2 count. A subsequent strike three called also ignited Smith, who was tossed as well.

League RBI leader Mitch Moreland tied the game the previous night with an eighth-inning homer, but this time around grounded out 4-3 to put an abrupt end to the rally.

Clinton lead 2-0 early on the strength of an RBI single by Smith and a solo blast by Moreland, both coming in the first against Bees' starter Luis Cota. However, the Bees came right back against left-hander Michael Kirkman, scoring on Jamar Walton's flare single in the second and grabbing the lead on a bases-loaded double by Clint Robinson.

The Kings made it a 4-3 deficit in the fifth on a sac fly by Moreland, but reliever Julio Santana served up a leadoff homer to David Lough as part of a two-run seventh as Burlington took a 6-3 lead.

Kirkman (L, 3-3) ended up with his third-straight loss for Clinton, allowing four runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out five in 6.0 innings. Keisuke Ueno worked in relief for the second-straight game, pitching 2.0 scoreless innings.

Fisher (W, 1-0) got the win for the Bees in his first outing with the club since 2007. He gave up just an unearned run over 4.2 innings of relief, walking one while striking out five.

Smith extended his hitting streak to a season-best 14 games with a 2-for-5 night. Lawson also had a 2-for-4 night including two runs scored. Moreland now leads the Midwest League with 86 RBI and is second on the club in homers with 14.

Robinson paced the Bees, going 3-for-4 with three RBI.

The LumberKings (27-26) and Bees (31-21) close out the three-game series at Alliant Energy Field tomorrow night, first pitch scheduled for 7 PM. The first 750 paid fans through the gate receive Grady Sizemore Bobbleheads, sponsored by Casey's General Stores and CBS-4. Listen to the game on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton or live on the web at www.lumberkings.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 14, 2008


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