MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Kings Sweep Chiefs with Clutch Hits

Published on May 12, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Peoria, IL - Two-out, two-run singles by Mario Martinez and Dennis Raben helped Clinton to a 5-3 lead, and closer Brandon Josselyn averted a comeback in the bottom of the ninth as the LumberKings pulled off a three-game sweep of the Peoria Chiefs with a 5-4 win at O'Brien Field Wednesday night.

The Kings showed no fear early against right-hander Nick Struck, the man who no-hit the Kings over a 5.0-inning rain-shortened game on April 30. James Jones and Vinnie Catricala each reached in the first inning and Martinez lined a two-out single into left, plating them both for a 2-0 lead.

Peoria would respond against right-hander Taylor Stanton in the second as D.J. Fitzgerald lifted a two-run home run to the berm in left. His first of the year came with Justin Bour aboard and tied the game at 2-2. The Chiefs would take a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning as they loaded the bases against Stanton. Richard Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to center, sending Greg Rohan home from third.

Stanton (W, 3-2) would escape further damage, getting Jose Valdez to ground out to strand a pair. Stanton finished with three runs, two earned on four hits over 5.0 innings while striking out five.

The LumberKings would take the lead back against Struck (L, 2-4) in the fifth. Gabriel Noriega, Nick Franklin and Jones all singled to load the bases. A wild pitch would score Noriega, and Raben followed with a two-run single to left-center for a 5-3 lead.

Right-hander Chris Kirkland (H, 3) tossed 3.0 scoreless innings of relief, keeping the two-run lead in tact. Closer Brandon Josselyn got a quick out to start the ninth, but then yielded three-straight singles to load the bases. Valdez grounded out to plate Fitzgerald, cutting Clinton's lead to 5-4.

Pinch-hitter Matt Cerda was then called upon. On May 3, Cerda delivered a pinch-hit walk-off homer against Stanton in the ninth for a 4-1 win, but he'd have no such luck this time. Josselyn struck him out with the tying and go-ahead runs on base to end the game.

The victory marked the first time this season that the LumberKings have won three-straight games and the club's first sweep of a series. Jones led all Clinton hitters going 3-for-3 with two runs scored. Martinez and Raben each finished 1-for-4 with two RBI.

The LumberKings (16-18) head home to take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels for a four-game series starting tomorrow night at Alliant Energy Field. Left-hander Jon Hesketh (2-2, 7.46) will make his seventh start of the year. Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or on the web at 1390kcln.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 12, 2010


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