Kings Capitalize on Whitecaps Errors in Win
July 14, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release
Clinton, IA - Three West Michigan errors, including a pivotal throwing miscue by first-baseman Tony Plagman following a Gabriel Noriega bunt helped the Clinton LumberKings seize control as they scored three runs in the fourth. Blake Ochoa added three RBI including two on a home run as the Kings rolled to a 9-4 win at Alliant Energy Field.
Plagman committed a fielding error in the first to put Nick Franklin aboard. Franklin came around two batters later as Tim Morris rolled a two-out single to center for the 1-0 lead.
Morris beat out a fielder's choice to score Luis Nunez for a 2-0 lead in the third inning, but the Whitecaps cut the deficit to a run in the fourth as Jamie Johnson coaxed a leadoff walk and scored on a single to right-center by Corey Jones.
West Michigan would get no closer as Plagman's defense proved troublesome again in the fourth inning. Ochoa and Matt Cerione each walked to start the inning, and Noriega attempted to bunt them both over. Plagman came charging in and unleashed a throw to third base, but it was nowhere close to Wade Gaynor and sent both baserunners home. Noriega would later tag and score on a sacrifice fly by Franklin for a 5-1 lead.
The three runs without the benefit of a hit made the game more than comfortable for right-hander Erasmo Ramirez (W, 6-3), who limited the Whitecaps to a run on three hits over 6.0 innings. He suffered a season-high three walks, two coming in the sixth inning to help load the bases, but got out of the jam as he handled Avisail Garcia's comebacker to the mound.
James Jones tripled home Morris in the fifth inning and Ochoa lifted a two-run blast to the berm in left in the seventh, helping extend the lead to 9-1. West Michigan starter Nathan Newman allowed seven total runs, three earned on four hits over 4.1 innings. Right-hander Miguel Mejia yielded two more runs over 2.2 innings, while righty Richard Zumaya pitched a scoreless frame.
After Ramirez's exit, the Kings' bullpen had issues putting the Whitecaps away. Right-hander John Housey gave up three-straight one-out singles in the ninth and then walked in a run, exiting in favor of right-hander Daniel Cooper. Two of the three inherited runners scored against Cooper as Hernan Perez beat out a fielder's choice and Noriega misfired to first base. Eventually, he'd leave runners at the corners by striking out Gaynor to end the game.
Ochoa's 1-for-2, three-RBI night led the LumberKings, while Morris turned in a 1-for-4 game, including two RBI.
The LumberKings (10-8) continue the series with the Whitecaps (6-13) tomorrow night at Alliant Energy Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. Right-hander Nolan Gallagher (0-2, 3.72) makes his third start of the season. Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at 1390kcln.com.
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