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MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

D-Rays Walk All Over LumberKings

May 10, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Battle Creek, MI - Clinton LumberKings pitchers Kyle Rogers and Julian Cordero combined to three-hit the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, yet each were roughed up via the free-pass Wednesday afternoon as the Devil Rays took game three of the series, 5-4.

Rogers struck out a season-high seven batters over six innings, but allowed the D-Rays to score three runs without the benefit of a hit in the bottom of the fifth inning. After getting a quick out to start the inning, the right-hander walked three straight D-Rays batters. With third-baseman Ryan Bethel at the plate, Rogers threw a pitch to the backstop that allowed Alex Jamieson to trot home from third. Bethel would walk to load the bases, and a balk call on Rogers during the very next batter sent the second run home. The D-Rays added a third run on a perfectly executed squeeze bunt by centerfielder John Matulia that scored Brandon Rousseve.

The LumberKings tied the game up in the sixth inning as singles by Matt Smith and Terry Blunt chased D-Rays starter and Midwest League ERA leader Wade Davis from the game. Reliever Aaron Walker walked John Mayberry to load the bases, then allowed an RBI-single to Freddie Thon to make it a 3-1 game. Joe Kemp grounded out productively, getting Blunt in from third. Truan Mehl delivered a game-tying single to right field, but Thon was thrown out at home by right-fielder Garrett Groce to end the inning.

Julian Cordero came on in relief for the LumberKings but had control problems as well, walking Chris Cunningham to start the seventh inning. Cordero (L,1-2) then committed a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Rousseve to put a pair of runners on base. A walk to Bethel loaded the bases, and a wild-pitch to Matulia allowed Cunningham to score the go-ahead run. Cordero wasn't done struggling through the inning, as he would walk the bases full and then walk in an insurance run for the D-Rays. Both runs were unearned to Cordero.

Walker (W, 2-0) blew a save opportunity for Southwest Michigan, but picked up the victory. Greg Dupas instead came on for the save, although he had to work out of a jam. Catcher Billy Killian smacked a two-out triple to keep the L-Kings alive. He would score a batter later as Jose Vallejo reached on an error by Bethel at third-base. Matt Smith had a chance to drive in the tying run from second, but struck out against Dupas (S, 8) to end the game.

The loss drops the LumberKings to 10-23 this season, just 6-16 in road contests. Southwest Michigan has now won six straight games, improving their record to 19-14. The two teams finish up a four-game series tomorrow evening, game time set for 5:35pm central time. Listen to the game on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton, or stream the broadcast live over the web at www.lumberkings.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 10, 2006


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