MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Jones' Walk-Off Single Sends Kings to Split

Published on July 8, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - It took seven innings for either side to score, but James Jones finally did it with one gone in the bottom of the seventh on a single to left, sending the Clinton LumberKings to a 1-0 victory and a twinbill split over the rival Quad Cities River Bandits at Alliant Energy Field. The Bandits won 9-3 in the resumption of Wednesday night's suspended game.

The LumberKings trailed 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning once play resumed and quickly took a 3-1 lead as Bandits' right-hander Justin Smith yielded four-straight singles. Vinnie Catricala and Tim Morris both singled home runs and an RBI groundout by Mario Martinez capped the scoring.

Unfortunately, that would be the end of Clinton's offense in game one. Smith (W, 4-0) allowed the three runs on five hits over 3.0 innings and left-hander Dan Calhoun (S, 1) pitched 3.0 scoreless innings, including five strikeouts.

The Bandits answered the three-run outburst with a four-run fifth inning against right-hander John Housey (L, 5-4). Devin Goodwin belted a three-run homer to the berm in left for the lead and Ryde Rodriguez added an RBI double as Quad Cities emerged with a 5-3 advantage. The bleeding for the Kings' pen wouldn't stop there as right-hander Taylor Lewis served up a three-run clout to Matt Adams and a solo shot to Roberto Espinoza over his three innings of work.

Game two lacked the back-and-forth offense of game one as there was hardly any offense at all. Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez of the Kings went toe to toe with right-hander Jorge Rondon of the Bandits, with both throwing up zeroes over the first six innings. Both would earn no-decisions, with Ramirez striking out a season-high seven batters while allowing just two hits and two walks.

Right-hander Daniel Cooper nearly saw the go-ahead run cross for the Bandits in the top of the seventh. He allowed a one-out triple to C.J. Beatty that traveled over the head of Jones in right-center. Cooper (W, 4-2) found a way to bear down as he struck out both Ivan Castro and Edgar Lara to leave Beatty at third.

Empowered by Cooper's effort, the LumberKings wasted no time getting the go-ahead run on base against Bandits' right-hander Jesse Simpson (L, 3-2). Morris singled just past the diving shortstop Ryan Jackson and then moved to second on Martinez's sacrifice bunt. That set the table for Jones, who sliced a liner towards Beatty in left. Morris rounded third and slid home ahead of Beatty's offline throw to the plate, sending the Clinton dugout out to mob Jones.

The win was Clinton's 13th in their last at-bat this season and their fifth in walk-off fashion. Jones finished 2-for-3 with the RBI (his 31st of the season) and also stole his 14th base. The walk-off hit was his first this season.

The LumberKings (8-5) and River Bandits (8-5) wrap up the series tomorrow night at Alliant Energy Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. Right-hander Nolan Gallagher (0-1, 6.75) is scheduled to make his second start for the LumberKings. 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 July 8, 2010


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