Big Homerun the difference in close game
July 31, 2017 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA - A three-run top of the sixth inning home run from Gareth Morgan proved to be the difference in a Clinton LumberKings 5-3 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Sunday afternoon at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial stadium. Morgan's homer tied him for the LumberKings (15-21, 46-57) season team lead with 11.
After being shutout in game one of the series Clinton wasted no time in scoring the game's first run in the top of the first inning. Bryson Brigman drove a ball off the wall in left for a one out double and scored two batters later on a Yojhan Quevedo RBI single through the left side of the infield.
Ryne Inman started for Clinton and held the LumberKings 1-0 lead through two innings before allowing his only runs of the game in the bottom of the third. Joe Cronin singled to lead off in the third and was followed by a Ben Rortvedt walk. Gorge Munoz then sacrificed himself to move the runners up and Aaron Whitefield singled up the middle to score Cronin and Rortvedt for the Kernels (16-20, 55-51) only lead of the game.
Inman (1-1) then settled down to work five innings and pick up his first win as a LumberKing. He allowed two runs on three hits while walking four and striking out five.
Clinton tied the game in the top of the fourth on a Jhombeyker Morales RBI double off the wall in left that scored Nick Zammarelli.
The game remained tied until top of the sixth. Kernels starter Anthony Marzi began the inning but failed to record an out. Quevedo singled on the first pitch of the inning, Zammarelli singled on the second pitch of the inning, and Morgan drove an 0-1 fastball over the wall in left and onto a nearby street for a three-run home run. The blast chased Marzi (3-2) from the game and gave the LumberKings a lead they would not relinquish.
Tyler Watson allowed a Kernels unearned run in the seventh inning but no more in his three innings of relief work to earn his first hold of the year.
Wyatt Mills followed with a perfect ninth inning of relief to earn his second save of the season.
Clinton will play game three of their four games series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The LumberKings will throw left-handed pitcher Danny Garcia (6-8, 6.13) the Kernels will counter with left-handed pitcher Charlie Barnes who will be making his Midwest League season debut. Game time is slated for 6:35 PM (C.D.T.) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI beginning at 6:20 PM, Erik Oas will be on the call.
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