Long Ball Powers LumberKings to Series Opening Win at Great Lakes
July 23, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release
Midland, MI - The LumberKings have found a variety of ways to win games all year, and tonight at Dow Diamond in Midland, they relied on the long ball. Logan Taylor's two run home run in the third broke a one run tie and gave the LumberKings a 3-1 lead. Using 4.1 innings of scoreless relief from Kevin Gadea, the LumberKings (61-38, 22-7) would tack on two more, including a solo home run from Gus Craig, to win 5-1 over the Great Lakes Loons (40-58, 11-17).
The LumberKings got to work quickly against Loons starter Caleb Ferguson (0-2) in the first, as Luis Liberato started the game with a single to left center. Rayder Ascanio was then hit by a pitch, and after Logan Taylor struck out, Alex Jackson poked a single to center, scoring Liberato to give Clinton the early edge.
Pablo Lopez needed just five pitches to get through the first inning, but after a two out infield single from Brendon Davis in the second, he was pulled. Kevin Gadea (1-0) entered to face Logan Landon, who hit a blooper to left the Gus Craig couldn't get to parking Landon at second with a double and moving Davis to third. Gage Green then hit a ground ball up the middle that Rayder Ascanio made an amazing play on to keep from going to the outfield, but couldn't get Green at first. Davis scored to tie the game, but Landon tried to score as well, and was thrown out at home by first baseman Conner Hale to end the inning.
Clinton would respond in a big way in the top of the third, as with one out, Rayder Ascanio reached on an infield single and advanced to second on a throwing error from third baseman Gage Green. Logan Taylor came up next, and launched a 431 foot rocket over the left center field fence for his sixth home run of the season. It gave the LumberKings a 3-1 lead, and gave Taylor his fourth road homer of the season.
The LumberKings would add on in the fifth, as Luis Liberato started the rally with a one out single against Ferguson. Rayder Ascanio then singled to left, but a bobble of the ball from Darien Tubbs scored Liberato and allowed Ascanio to move to second, extending the lead to 4-1.
Great Lakes' best chance to tie came in the bottom of the fifth inning, as they packed the bases with two outs against Kevin Gadea. However, Omar Estevez couldn't deliever, as he flew out to left to strand the bases loaded and keep it a 4-1 Clinton lead.
Gus Craig in the seventh against Brian Bass launched a solo home run to right, his third of the season, to extend the lead to 5-1. Joe Pistorese replaced Gadea for the seventh and threw two scoreless frames. Lukas Schiraldi came on for the ninth, and despite walking two, punched out the side to seal the victory.
The LumberKings go for their third straight win tomorrow as they send Pedro Vasquez to the hill for his second start. Great Lakes will counter with lefty Wes Helsabeck (3-0, 2.25). First pitch is at 1:05 CT, with the game being broadcast on WCCI 100.3 FM right before first pitch. You can also listen online at www.lumberkings.com.
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