MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Clark Burns LumberKings Twice as Timber Rattlers Even Series

Published on July 28, 2016 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - Twice on Thursday night Wisconsin center fielder Trent Clark had a chance to drive home the go ahead run, and both times he came through. Clark's one out single in the sixth inning broke a scoreless tie, and his two out single in the eighth broke a 1-1 tie. The LumberKings (62-41, 23-10) stranded the tying run at third in the eighth, as the Timber Rattlers (51-52, 17-16) evened the series with a 2-1 victory.

The Timber Rattlers put LumberKings starter Luiz Gohara up against a wall in the first as Troy Stokes started the game with a double. Gohara then got a strike out from Trent Clark, and a line out from Max McDowell to keep Stokes at second with two outs. Isan Diaz then squibbed a ball to the left side of the infield for a singled, moving Stokes to third. With Luis Aviles coming up, Gohara got crafty, as on his second thrown over to first base, picked off Diaz to end the inning.

Clinton put together a two out rally in the bottom of the second inning against Wisconsin starter Zack Brown. Chris Mariscal dribbled a ball to short that Luis Aviles threw low to first, allowing Mariscal to reach. Arturo Nieto then took the first pitch he saw and popped it into shallow right center for a hit, moving Mariscal to third. Ricky Eusebio then drove one to deep right that turned around Troy Stokes. However, Stokes eventually recovered to make the catch to end the inning.

Luiz Gohara continued to deal for the LumberKings retiring ten straight Timber Rattlers from the start of the second until one out in the fifth, when he issued a walk to Lucas Erseg. He then came back and punched out the next two to end the inning, reaching a season high ten strikeouts in the process.

However, Wisconsin would break the scoreless tie in the top of the sixth inning. With one out and nobody one, Troy Stokes singled, and with Trent Clark up, Stokes stole second. Gohara though he had punched out Clark on a 2-2 changeup on the low outside corner, but didn't get the call. Clark came through on the payoff pitch, driving one to left that fell for a hit, scoring Stokes to put the Timber Rattlers up by a run. Gohara got out of the inning by getting a double play ground ball from Max McDowell.

Clinton would tie the game in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Nate Griep. Rayder Ascanio reached on an error from Isan Diaz to start the inning, and then moved to third on a single from Dalton Kelly. Alex Jackson stepped in and hit a fly ball to center that Trent Clark made a diving catch on. Rayder Ascanio tagged from third and scored, but Dalton Kelly was doubled off first, as he ran on contact and didn't know that the ball was caught.

The game remained tied at one until the eighth inning. Dylan Silva (3-2) retired the first two that he faced in the frame, but then walked Juan Ortiz and Troy Stokes to put runners at first and second for Trent Clark. Like he did in the sixth, Clark delivered, blooping one to shallow left center field, easily scoring Ortiz to give Wisconsin the 2-1.

The LumberKings though would have one last gasp, as Rayder Ascanio dropped a bunt down the third base line for a hit with one out in the eighth. On the play, third baseman Lucas Erceg threw the ball well wide of first, going all the way down to the Timber Rattlers bullpen and moving Ascanio to third. Corbin Burnes (2-0) then got tough, striking out Dalton Kelly looking and Alex Jackson swinging to strand the tying run at third.

Clinton and Wisconsin will play the rubber game of their series tomorrow night at 6:30. It will be the final matchup of the year between the two clubs. The LumberKings send righty Pablo Lopez to the hill, looking for his second win of the year against Wisconsin. The Timber Rattlers counter with righty Devin Williams (6-2, 3.63). Tomorrow night there will be a postgame fireworks spectacular presented by WQAD-TV. Get your tickets by visiting www.lumberkings.com, calling 563-242-0727 or by stopping by the box office at Ashford University Field.

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Midwest League Stories from July 28, 2016


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