MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Kings Fall Behind Early, Lose to Chiefs

Published on August 28, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Peoria, IL - Two fielding errors by shortstop Nick Franklin opened the door for a five-run second inning as the Peoria Chiefs beat the Clinton LumberKings, 7-1 at O'Brien Field. The errors helped set up a huge night by Peoria left-fielder D.J. Fitzgerald, who went 4-for-4 with a triple and four RBI.

With two outs in the second inning, left-hander Nick Czyz induced catcher Luis Flores into a ground ball towards Franklin at short. The ball kicked away, putting Flores on. Anthony Giansanti quickly turned the miscue into a 1-0 Chiefs' lead, doubling off the wall in left. Hak-Ju Lee sliced an RBI single to left-center as well, and Czyz loaded the bases up before allowing a bases-clearing triple to Fitzgerald.

All five runs would be unearned to Czyz, but it wouldn't be the last trouble he got into. Lee doubled to start the fourth and scored on another double by Fitzgerald off the wall in center, and Jae-Hoon Ha doubled to start the fifth inning and scored three batters later on a sacrifice fly by George Matheus. Czyz (L, 4-5) yielded seven runs, two earned on 11 hits over his 6.0 innings of work.

Meanwhile, the LumberKings could not get the bats going. Mickey Wiswall doubled with two outs in the first and was left stranded, and the only other hit of the game came from Vinnie Catricala. His double to right-center plated Wiswall in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to 5-1. Catricala's team-leading 38th double produced his team-leading 75th RBI and also extended his hitting streak to a team-best 17 games.

Peoria right-hander Marcus Hatley tossed 2.1 scoreless innings and struck out five before exiting due to pitch count. Lefty Austin Kirk (W, 1-1) ate up 5.2 innings in relief, giving up just a run on one hit while fanning four. Right-hander Manolin DeLeon pitched a perfect non-save ninth.

Czyz was relieved by right-hander Fray Martinez in the seventh. Martinez posted his best outing as a LumberKing, tossing 2.0 scoreless innings with just one hit allowed.

The LumberKings (34-26, 71-58) still lead Kane County for the top playoff spot in the West by 1.5 games, but as of the end of Clinton's game, the Cougars had an 8-2 lead in Wisconsin.

The series with Peoria (29-29, 67-60) continues tomorrow with doubleheader baseball beginning at 1:00 PM. Right-hander Tom Wilhelmsen (4-1, 2.05) will make his sixth start in game one, while game two's starter has yet to be determined. Listen to both games on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at 1390kcln.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 28, 2010


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