MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Elias Dominates Rattlers in Debut Victory

Published on August 4, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Grand Chute, WI - After back-to-back one-run defeats to Wisconsin, the Clinton LumberKings returned the favor behind right-hander Roenis Elias as they bested the Timber Rattlers 3-2 on Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field. Elias, making his Midwest League debut and just his fifth appearance since signing with Seattle, allowed an unearned run on five hits over 6.1 innings to get the win.

The LumberKings scored a run in the top of the first and never trailed in the contest despite several close calls late. Robbie Anston drew a leadoff walk in the first from Rattlers' right-hander Matt Miller and scored on a two-out flare single inside the right-field line by Stefen Romero.

Kevin Rivers doubled down the right-field line off Miller in the fourth, moved to third on a Romero groundout and scored on a wild pitch to raise the lead to 2-0. The Kings scored again in the sixth inning as Anston doubled to right-center and scored on a line drive to center by Julio Morban.

The Guantanamo, Cuba native Elias (W, 1-0) mixed speeds and locations to keep the Rattlers off balance all night, striking out four and walking only two. He faced only two significant jams, getting Franklin Romero Jr. to fly out to right to strand runners at first and second in the fifth inning, then leaving runners behind at the corners with one out after a Chad Stang double and a walk to Nick Ramirez in the seventh.

His lone unearned run came as right-hander Jessie Nava allowed Stang to come home on a groundout to second by Greg Hopkins. Nava (H, 3) gave up an unearned run of his own in the eighth as Reggie Keen reached on a fielding error by shortstop Anthony Phillips and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason Rogers. That sac fly could have driven in two, but right-fielder Rivers layed out for a diving catch to erase Rogers for the second out of the inning.

Right-hander Matt Bischoff then came on and yielded a single to Joey Paciorek, putting runners at the corners. He'd end the threat and preserve the 3-2 lead by striking out Stang looking. Bischoff (S, 2) worked a perfect ninth, striking out two including Mike Brownstein swinging to end the game.

Miller IL, 4-6) lost despite a quality start for Wisconsin, giving up three runs on four hits over 7.0 innings. Rattlers' right-handers Stosh Wawrzasek and Casey Medlen each worked scoreless innings.

Anston went 1-for-3 with a double and two runs scored, while Rivers went 2-for-4 with a run scored for the Kings. Stang finished 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored for the Timber Rattlers.

The LumberKings (20-19) conclude the series with the Timber Rattlers (16-23) tomorrow night at Time Warner Cable Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PM. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (4-5, 3.12) starts for Clinton against Wisconsin left-hander Charly Bashara (4-4, 5.12). Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at 1390kcln.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 4, 2011


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