MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Clinton Knocks off Kane County 4-1

Published on May 8, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - For a team that finished 12th in team ERA in the month of April, the Clinton LumberKings (12-16) just needed the month to change in order to find its pitching groove. Thursday night, Tyler Herb (W, 1-1) continued the dominant run of Clinton starting pitching, as the righty tossed a career high 6.2 innings of one-run ball in a 4-1 win over the Kane County Cougars (11-17). Herb combined with Troy Scott and Kody Kerski (SV, 4) to lower Clinton's team ERA for May to 1.87, second best in the league.

While Clinton came out on top in the series opener, a trend continued in which they allowed the opponent to score first. For the 12th time in 13 home games in 2015, Clinton allowed the games' first run. Herb walked Grant Heyman to begin the second inning, and Stryker Trahan's RBI double made it 1-0 Kane County.

From that point on, Clinton controlled the game, as the Cougars' offensive struggles continued. Kane County has scored three runs over its four game losing streak. Herb went the first 6.2 innings, which surpassed his previous career high of six, Scott recorded four outs, and Kerski pitched around a leadoff single in the ninth to pick up the save.

The LumberKings tied the game up in the fourth inning and took the lead for good in the fifth. A sacrifice fly by Kristian Brito plated Estarlyn Morales to tie the game in the fourth, while heads up base running and a defensive error led to the eventual winning runs in the fifth.

After Nelson Ward singled and Luis Liberato walked, the pair executed a successful double steal. The throw by Kane County catcher Trahan went past third baseman Joe Munoz and into left field, as both Ward and Liberato scored. Two of the three runs scored vs. Kane County starter Ethan Elias (L, 3-1) were earned, as he picked up the loss in his first start of the season.

Though Kane County out-hit the LumberKings 7-4, Clinton won for the fifth time in seven games vs. the Cougars. The victory was the fourth straight series opening win for Clinton, and the LumberKings starting pitcher recorded a quality start for the fourth time in five games.

Clinton will go for its third straight series win vs. the Cougars, as game two of the set is scheduled for Friday night. Brad Keller (0-3, 2.48) will get the start for Kane County, while lefty Pat Peterson (4-1, 1.01) is set for his third start vs. the Cougars. The two starters met on both 4/17 and 4/22, both Clinton victories. First pitch at Ashford University Field is scheduled for 6:30 CT. The LumberKings broadcast can be heard on WCCI 100.3 FM, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 8, 2015


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