Late Rally Falls Just Short As LumberKings Drop Series To TinCaps
May 3, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release
Clinton, IA - Down by four runs in the eighth, the LumberKings rallied for two against the TinCaps bullpen, and put the tying run on with one out in the ninth. Clinton (15-10) couldn't get the deciding run across, dropping the game and the series to Fort Wayne (15-11) by a 4-2 final.
The TinCaps got rolling quickly in the second, as Brad Zunica reached on an infield single. Michael Gettys came up next, and the first pitch he saw from Lukas Schiraldi (2-2) he whacked off the left field foul pole for a two run homer, his first of the season.
Fort Wayne would tack on another run in the third, as a leadoff walk to Kodie Tidwell came around to score on a Ty France single with two outs to make it 3-0. France struck again against Schiraldi in the fifth as he doubled home Mason Smith to make it 4-0, the largest lead the TinCaps would have. Like Tidwell, Smith reached base on a leadoff walk.
The best chance that the LumberKings had against TinCaps starter Walker Lockett (1-2) came in the third, as Conner Hale and Rafael Fernandez hit back to back singles to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Clinton squandered the opportunity, as Fernandez got caught stealing, Braden Bishop lined out to first, and Aaron Barbosa grounded out to Lockett to end the frame. The LumberKings on the day were just 2 for 11 with runners in scoring position. Lockett went five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits.
Fort Wayne's pitching finally gave in during the eighth, as reliever Jerry Keel walked Braden Bishop to lead off the inning. Dalton Kelly reached on an error, and James Alfonso singled to load the bases for Logan Taylor. Taylor, who had driven in seven of his 12 runs prior to the at bat this season with the bases loaded, smacked a double to the left center field gap, scoring Bishop and Kelly to make it 4-2. Clinton couldn't get any more across, as Chris Mariscal and Gus Craig both grounded out to end the inning, stranding the tying run at second.
Another golden opportunity presented itself in the ninth, as Rafael Fernandez and Braden Bishop drew back to back walks with one out, but Emmanuel Ramirez got the last two batters with ease to end the ballgame.
The LumberKings and TinCaps will play the final game of their series tomorrow at noon, with Clinton's Art Warren (3-0, 0.77) squaring off with Fort Wayne's Austin Smith (0-1, 3.86). Tickets can be purchased by calling 563-242-0727 or by visiting the ticketing page at www.lumberkings.com.
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