MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Extra inning winner in come from behind fashion

Published on May 28, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Cedar Rapids, IA - In their third straight extra inning game of the series the Clinton LumberKings came from behind for a Monday afternoon Memorial Day win 4-3 in 10 innings to drop the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Perfect Game Field. The win was the fourth of the series for the LumberKings (28-22) to give them a rare six-game series win over the Kernels (23-25).

Clinton started the scoring in the top of the second inning. Ryan Costello tripled down the line in right, his first three-bagger of the year, and scored two pitches later on a Eugene Helder sacrifice fly to right.

The Kernels tied the game in the bottom of the fourth on an Alex Kiriloff solo home run to left center field, his eighth home run and 38th RBI of the season.

The LumberKings took their second lead of the game in the top of the fifth. Helder drew a lead-off walk and moved to third on a combination wild pitch and sacrifice bunt by Dimas Ojeda. Louis Boyd was then asked to drop a bunt down as part of a suicide squeeze but failed to do so. The ball popped out of Kernels catcher Ben Rodriguez's mitt allowing Helder to score on a straight steal of home.

Leading 2-1, Cedar Rapids pushed two runs across it the bottom of the sixth to take their first lead of the game. Shane Carrier singled to center to score Jose Miranda and Kiriloff to give the Kernels a 3-2 lead.

Cedar Rapids carried their lead into the top of the ninth and reliever Carlos Suniaga struck out the first two batters he faced to put the LumberKings down to their final out. Boyd singled to left to extend the game and Ryan Scott moved him to third with another two out single. Suniaga (2-2) then threw a wild pitch between the legs of Rodriguez allowing Boyd to score the tying run.

Clinton then cashed in on their free base runner in the top of the tenth with a sacrifice bunt by Bully Cooke and sacrifice fly by Jack Larsen.

The run benefited LumberKings reliever Scott Boches who picked up his first win of the season. Over a three innings of work, Boches (1-0) allowed no runs on two hits while walking none and striking out five.

Collin Koeber worked the bottom of the 10th for Clinton and earned his first save of the season when he stranded the game's tying and winning runs on base with a ground out of Carrier to shortstop.

The LumberKings will return home to Ashford University Field and welcome in the Quad Cities River Bandits and Peoria Chiefs for a crucial six-game home-stand. The home-stand opens with the first of a three-game set with the River Bandits on Tuesday night. Clinton will throw lefty Ray Kerr (1-3, 4.91) while Quad Cities will turn to a left-handed pitcher of their own Patrick Sandoval (3-1, 4.05). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM. Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tune in radio ap at 6:15 PM with the pregame show.

Tuesday's are two "two-dollar Tuesdays" at Ashford University Field. All game long fans can enjoy $2 tickets, $2 box seat upgrades, $2 Miller Lite and Coors Light tall boys, $2 soft drinks, $2 hot dogs, and $2 ice cream. The game will also feature the second installment of the baseball card strip giveaway presented by Clinton National Bank and Mediacom.

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Midwest League Stories from May 28, 2018


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