MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Kings Keep it Close, But Burlington Sweeps

Published on May 9, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - The Clinton LumberKings welcomed in five new players Monday night at Alliant Energy Field, two of which would start and make immediate impacts. However, the efforts of Matt Browning (2-for-5, RBI) and Robbie Anston (1-for-3, double, run scored) wouldn't be enough to beat first-place Burlington as the Bees completed the sweep with a 4-2 win.

Browning lifted a flare single to right-center to score Stefen Romero with two outs in the first inning, giving the LumberKings a 1-0 lead against Midwest League ERA leader, Bees' right-hander Blake Hassebrock. That would turn out to be Clinton's only run against Hassebrock (W, 2-0), who scattered five hits and struck out three over 6.0 innings.

Burlington tied the score at 1-1 in the second inning as Wade Kirkland belted a leadoff homer down the left-field line off right-hander Forrest Snow. Kirkland gave the Bees a 2-1 lead in the fourth with a fly ball to left - cited as an infield fly by home plate umpire Mike Terry - that dropped out of Anston's reach to score Yordy Cabrera.

Snow (L, 1-4) gave up two more runs in the sixth. With the bases loaded and one out, Kirkland grounded up the middle to second-baseman Shaver Hansen who threw home for a force play on Cabrera, but the ball kicked off catcher Steven Baron's glove, letting Cabrera score. John Nester added a sacrifice fly to deep right, scoring Jose Rivero.

The LumberKings cut the deficit to 4-2 in the seventh inning as Anston ripped an opposite-field double to left and scored on Julio Morban's double down the right-field line. Bees' right-hander Nate Long allowed nothing more in the frame, stranding Morban as he induced Romero into a line-out to left and struck out Mickey Wiswall.

Clinton loaded the bases on three-straight walks in the eighth inning but again came up empty. Right-hander Pedro Vidal got out of the one-out jam unscathed as Jabari Blash was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a ball that got away from the catcher Nester. Vidal then got Hansen to fly out to left, leaving the bases loaded.

Right-hander Daniel Tenholder (S, 6) yielded a leadoff single to Morban in the ninth, but then struck out two of the next three he faced to end the game.

In addition to Browning's multi-hit night, Morban also finished 2-for-5 with a double and an RBI. Cabrera led the way for Burlington, going 3-for-5 with two runs scored. Kirkland finished 1-for-3 with three RBI.

The LumberKings (9-23) head to the road for a three-game set at Quad Cities (14-17) tomorrow night at Modern Woodmen Park, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (0-1, 9.00) makes his second start for the LumberKings. The River Bandits have not announced their starting rotation yet. Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at 1390kcln.com.

For tickets, merchandise, the 2011 Promotional Schedule and more information on the Clinton LumberKings, call 563-242-0727 or visit www.lumberkings.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 9, 2011


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