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MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Clinton's Offense Struggles in Opener vs. the Cubs

August 7, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


South Bend, IN - Despite a change in venue, the Clinton LumberKings (8-33, 34-76) continued their struggle vs. the Eastern Division in 2015, as the first game of a set vs. the South Bend Cubs (20-21, 49-59) ended much like the recent three game series sweep at the hands of West Michigan. Clinton managed just one run vs. a trio of South Bend pitchers, while Ian Happ's two-out, two-run, third inning home run was enough offensively to get the Cubs a much needed home win.

Lefty Eddie Campbell (L, 1-1), in his third start with the LumberKings, made just one mistake over 5.1 innings. He allowed only one other run, unearned, although South Bend threatened in every inning that he pitched. The Cubs stranded a man on third base in the first, left a runner on second base in the second, Happ homered in the third, the Cubs left two on in the fourth, and scored an unearned run in the fifth.

South Bend got a great five-inning start out of James Norwood (W, 1-1), as the righty did not allow a run in by far his best start of the season. Norwood had three 1-2-3 innings and faced just two over the minimum through five. He gave up just three hits, all singles, walked just one, and struck out four in the win.

While Norwood's shutout start and Happ's home run highlighted the South Bend win, the Cubs also took advantage of two key Clinton errors that widened the gap. Gleyber Torres reached on an error by Clinton shortstop Brock Hebert in the fifth inning, advanced to second on a wild pitch, stole third base, and scored on a two-out RBI single by David Bote. In the seventh vs. Thyago Vieira, Jeffrey Baez led off with a single to right field that Estarlyn Morales could not field, which allowed Baez to get to third base. Just a few pitches later, Torres plated Baez with a sacrifice fly, the second of two unearned runs allowed by Clinton.

Dillon Maples replaced Norwood to begin the sixth inning and quickly retired the first five hitters that he faced. But the righty seemingly lost complete command of the strike zone with two outs in the seventh, as he walked Morales, hit Joe DeCarlo with a pitch, and walked James Alfonso. With the bases loaded, South Bend called on Corbin Hoffner (SV, 6), who allowed an RBI single to Kristian Brito. The base hit plated Morales, but Baez tallied his team leading 15th assist as he threw out DeCarlo at the plate and ended the inning. Hoffner allowed a single in the eighth and walked a man in the ninth, but easily picked up the seven out save.

Just three Clinton players recorded a hit, as Arby Fields went 1-4, while Alfonso and Brito each had two singles. Clinton had only five total hits, while six different Cubs recorded at least one base hit.

Clinton remains winless vs. the East and will turn to Lukas Schiraldi (4-9, 4.88) Saturday night. South Bend will counter with 2014 second round pick Jake Stinnett (4-4, 4.78), as first pitch is scheduled for 6:05 CT at Four Winds Field. The LumberKings broadcast can be heard on WCCI 100.3 FM, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.

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