LumberKings Hold on for 3-2 Win to Take Series vs. KC
April 17, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release
Geneva, IL - After a 13 inning marathon victory over Kane County (3-6) Thursday afternoon, the Clinton LumberKings (4-5) picked up a series victory with a tight 3-2 win at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark Friday evening. Pat Peterson (W, 1-1) pitched six shutout innings, and Joe DeCarlo hit his league leading fourth home run in the win.
For the second consecutive game, and just the third time through nine games, Clinton struck first. Cougars' starter Brad Keller (L, 0-1), allowed only one run over five strong innings, but saw the Kane County bullpen allow the eventual winning run. Following a leadoff single by Wayne Taylor in the second, Martin Peguero's RBI single made it 1-0 Clinton.
The score remained 1-0 until the sixth inning, as Peterson scattered eight singles and did not walk a batter in the victory. After a two home run game Thursday afternoon, Joe DeCarlo hit his league leading fourth home run to begin the top of the sixth. Clinton then added a run on an RBI single by Arby Fields in the inning, which proved to be the difference in the final score.
In relief of Peterson, lefty Jarrett Brown pitched a quick seventh inning, but walked the final two batters he faced in the eighth. Clinton manager Scott Steinmann went to righty Kody Kerski (SV, 1) in an effort for a five out save. Kerski walked the first man he faced, which loaded the bases with one out in the inning. Kane County right fielder Victor Reyes then drove home two runs with a single to right field, but ran himself into an out at second base, as Estarlyn Morales picked up his second outfield assist of the season. The out left the tying man on third base but with two outs, and Kerski got pinch hitter Stryker Trahan to ground out to first base to end the eighth.
Much like Thursday's game, Kane County threatened and put the tying runner into scoring position in the final inning, but failed to capitalize. Colin Bray flared a one out double down the left field line, but Kerski struck out Fernery Ozuna, and Marty Herum grounded out to shortstop to end the game.
Both teams struggled to hit with runners in scoring position Friday night, as Clinton went just 2-10 and left eight men on base, while Kane County went 2-11 and left 10 on, seven of which in scoring position. Peguero, who went 3-4, recorded the second consecutive three-hit game for Clinton, following DeCarlo's 3-4 afternoon Thursday.
Kane County had 35 hits in the series, but all but six were singles. The save for Kerski was the first of the season for Clinton, as they improved to 4-1 in one run games. Over the final two games of the series, both Clinton victories, DeCarlo went 5-8, with three home runs, three RBI's, and four runs scored.
The LumberKings will return home to Clinton to begin a brief three game homestand vs. the Beloit Snappers (2-7), who salvaged the series finale and avoided a sweep vs. Quad Cities at Pohlman Field on Friday night. Game one of the series is scheduled for 2 PM CT at Ashford University Field Saturday afternoon, as Lukas Schiraldi (0-1, 16.87) is set to oppose Snappers' righty Junior Mendez (0-1, 21.60). The LumberKings radio broadcast will begin at 1:45 and can be heard on 100.3 FM WCCI, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.
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Midwest League Stories from April 17, 2015
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