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MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Five Run Explosion In Fifth Gives LumberKings Series Opener Over Chiefs

June 14, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - After loading the bases and not scoring in both the third and the fourth innings, the LumberKings held no prisoners in the fifth, as they sent all nine men to the plate, scoring five, and added three in the sixth, cruising to a 9-2 victory over the Peoria Chiefs. The win got the LumberKings (35-28) to within a half game of the Chiefs (36-28) for the Western Division lead, and pulled them two games ahead of third place Cedar Rapids for the wild card position.

The Chiefs used a two out rally to get on the board in the first, as after Eli Alvarez poked a single to right, Brian O'Keefe took the first pitch he saw from Art Warren (7-1)and split the gap in right center field, plating Alvarez to give Peoria the early edge.

Clinton squandered two great chances to score in the third and fourth innings. In the third, Rafael Fernandez lead off with a single against Peoria starter Junior Fernandez (5-4), and then back to back one out singles from Luis Liberato and Rayder Ascanio loaded the bases, but Braden Bishop struck out and Alex Jackson flew out to right to end the inning. In the fourth inning, the LumberKings packed the bases with nobody out, as a fielding error and two walks gave Clinton their best chance to tie the game. Rafael Fernandez hit into a fielders choice to force out the lead runner at home, and then Ricky Eusebio hit into a 6-3 double play to end inning.

However in the fifth inning, the LumberKings made Fernandez pay for his mistakes. Luis Liberato lead off with a single, and then Fernandez walked Rayder Ascanio. He then struck out Braden Bishop, but Alex Jackson came through with a hard single to right, scoring Liberato to tie the game, moving Ascanio to third, and advancing Jackson to second on the throw home. Conner Hale came up next and whacked a single that plated both Ascanio and Jackson to give the LumberKings a 3-1 lead. It didn't stop there, as Logan Taylor then walked, and both Hale and Taylor moved up to second and third on a ground out to first from James Alfonso. Rafael Fernandez delivered the crunching blow with an opposite field single to left, scoring Hale and Taylor to make it 5-1.

Art Warren would surrender a run in the sixth as the Chiefs loaded the bases with nobody out, but he limited the damage by only allowing one on a sacrifice fly. He left after six innings, allowing two runs on six hits with five strikeouts. It was his fifth quality start of the year.

Clinton would add three more in the bottom of the sixth against reliever Jorge Rodriguez, knocking him out of the game without recording an out. Spencer Herrmann and Kyle Wilcox combined to shutout the Chiefs over the last three frames to seal the victory.

The LumberKings look to get back in sole possession of first place tomorrow as they send Pablo Lopez (2-0, 2.12) to the hill for the second game of the series. Peoria will counter with righty Brennan Leitao (3-6, 3.02) who will make his third start of the year against the LumberKings. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30, and you can get your tickets by visiting www.lumberkings.com, calling 563-242-0727, or by stopping by the box office at Ashford University Field.

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Midwest League Stories from June 14, 2016


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