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MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Devil Rays Add Insult to Injury

May 9, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Battle Creek, MI - An injury and a trio of errors led to the demise of the Clinton LumberKings on Tuesday night, as they dropped a second consecutive game to the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays, 11-3. Lefthander Michael Kirkman fell to the ground after unleashing a wild pitch to the backstop, suffering an undisclosed injury to his left leg. He had faced just one batter in the inning before exiting, and failed to record an out.

Kirkman allowed a lead-off infield single to D-Rays centerfielder John Matulia, and with a 1-0 count to shortstop Neil Walton, Kirkman hit the deck after a curveball sailed to the backstop. Jose Marte came on out of the bullpen, allowing Matulia to score. Marte allowed another run in the third inning, but the big inning for the D-Rays came in the fourth.

The Devil Rays scored seven runs in the fourth inning against Marte (L, 3-2) and reliever J.B. Diaz, six of which were unearned. L-Kings first baseman Freddie Thon committed two uncharacteristic fielding errors, both allowing runs to score in the inning. With the inning extended, D-Rays first baseman Rhyne Hughes capitalized in a huge way, blasting a Diaz pitch over the wall in right-center for a 3-run homer. Hughes' first of the year made it a 9-2 game.

The LumberKings' offense struggled all night against southpaw starter Jake McGee. McGee (W, 3-4) ran into a bit of trouble in the third inning, allowing a pair of runs. K.C. Herren started things off with a single, and was driven in a batter later as Brian Valichka sent a deep fly ball off the wall in center for an RBI-double. Matt Smith drove Valichka in with a flare single to right field.

Outside of the third, McGee was stellar on the mound. He pitched six innings, surrendering just two earned runs on five hits, walking three while striking out seven. Relievers Kevin Lynn and Drew Bigda combined for three innings of scoreless relief to preserve the win for McGee.

Herren was the most notable man at the plate for the LumberKings, posting a perfect 3-for-3 night with a run scored.

The loss drops the LumberKings to 10-22, just 6-15 on the road this year. Southwest Michigan improves to 18-14, good for third in the Midwest League East. The two teams do battle again tomorrow at 10:05am central time. Right-hander Kyle Rogers (0-3, 4.76 ERA) takes the mound for the LumberKings against right-hander Wade Davis (3-0, 0.85 ERA). Listen to the broadcast on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton, or stream the game live on the internet at www.lumberkings.com.

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