MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Clinton Cruises into Playoffs with 10-Game Winning Streak

September 3, 2012 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Cedar Rapids, IA - Seven wins separate the Clinton LumberKings from their final goal in the 2012 season: a Midwest League Championship. With a 10-3 thumping over Cedar Rapids on Monday afternoon at Perfect Game Field, the LumberKings carry a 10-game winning streaking into the playoffs.

Next up for Clinton is a three-game series with the Beloit Snappers in the first round of the playoffs. Game one is scheduled for 6:30 Wednesday at Ashford University Field. Game two will be played at Pohlman Field in Beloit and, if necessary, game three will be in Beloit as well.

The LumberKings smacked four home runs en route to the big win to close out the regular season. Trailing 1-0 going to the third inning, Clinton center fielder Patrick Brady got the offense rolling with his second homer of the season, a solo shot to left field. Kernels lefty Michael Johnson went on to walk three of the next four hitters and then hit Ramon Morla with the bases loaded to force in a run. Mike Dowd followed with a sac fly to make it 3-1. With two away in the inning, Jabari Blash ripped a two-run double to the gap in right-center to boost the lead to 5-1.

The Kernels came right back with two runs of their own in the third inning against LumberKings starter Rusty Shellhorn to trim the lead to 5-3. A slick 1-6-3 double play started by Shellhorn ended the jam.

That's as close as Cedar Rapids would get as Clinton's offense erupted for five more runs, with three coming in the fifth. With one out, Ji-Man Choi walked and was quickly brought around to score on Morla's towering two-run blast that left the stadium. Later in the inning, Blash added his 15th homer of the year, a solo shot to left-center that also left the ballpark.

Dillon Hazlett hit his second home run in as many days in the eighth inning, giving Clinton four in the game and 102 in the regular season. Shellhorn settled in and threw seven strong innings, earning his third win in four starts. Jeremy Dobbs worked two scoreless innings in relief to bring the regular season to a close.

Clinton finished with a 48-22 mark in the second half, the most wins in a half in franchise history. Winners in 17 of their last 18 games, the LumberKings completed the dramatic turnaround with a 71-67 record overall.

The LumberKings send right-hander Bobby Shore (4-3, 1.94) to the mound in game one against Beloit on Wednesday.

The Snappers have yet to announce a game one starter. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30. For tickets and more information on the playoffs, call the LumberKings at 563-242-0727.

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Midwest League Stories from September 3, 2012


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