MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Lin's Single Shrinks LumberKings' Lead

Published on September 1, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - The Beloit Snappers drew a game closer to Clinton in the playoff standings, taking a 4-3 lead on Wang-Wei Lin's 11th-inning single and hanging on for the win over the LumberKings at Alliant Energy Field. The Kings now lead Kane County by just a half-game for the top playoff spot in the West and are 1.5 games ahead of the Snappers for a playoff berth.

The Kings struck first as James Jones skied a three-run homer to the Lumber Lounge in the second inning, but right-hander Yoervis Medina couldn't make it stand up. Medina served up a solo homer to Josmil Pinto in the third inning, a sacrifice fly by Daniel Santana that scored Pinto in the fifth and a game-tying RBI double to Lance Ray with two outs in the fifth.

The game stayed tied at 3-3 despite several chances for the LumberKings. Jones and Mickey Wiswall stood on base in the seventh but would not score as Vinnie Catricala grounded out to shortstop James Beresford. Henry Contreras drew a leadoff walk in the eighth, but pop-outs for Mario Martinez and Matt Cerione and a strikeout by Gabriel Noriega ensured he'd never leave second.

Clinton had a chance for a walk-off win in the 10th as Tim Morris doubled down the right-field line with two outs and was replaced by pinch-runner Ryan Royster. Following a walk to Martinez, right-hander Miguel Munoz struck out Cerione swinging to end the threat.

In the 11th, right-hander Brandon Josselyn was summoned from the bullpen to replace left-hander Jason Markovitz, who had kept the game tied with three scoreless innings. Josselyn yielded a leadoff single to Aaron Hicks and a bunt by Steven Liddle turned into a throwing error for Martinez, putting runners at second and third.

Josselyn (L, 3-6) got the next two outs and issued an intentional walk to load the bases, but Lin's liner to left dropped in front of Royster to score Hicks. Royster threw a strike to the plate to get Liddle, ending the inning.

Snappers' closer Eliecer Cardenas (S, 8) got two quick outs in the bottom of the 11th before giving up a high fly ball to Franklin that kept the LumberKings in the game. The ball was dropped by Ray in right field, putting Franklin on third base. Wiswall then stepped up and lined a pitch off Cardenas on the mound, but it kicked to second-baseman Yorby Martinez who recovered for the game-ending out at first base.

Munoz (W, 12-5) ended up with the win as a result of 2.2 scoreless relief innings.

Jones fell a double shy of the cycle, going 3-for-6 with his 12th home run and three RBI. No other Clinton hitter drove in a run.

Beloit was led by Hicks, who went 3-for-4 with two crucial runs scored. Ray, Pinto, Lin and Santana each had an RBI for the Snappers.

The LumberKings (36-29) and Snappers (33-29) continue the series tomorrow night at Alliant Energy Field, first pitch scheduled for 6:30 PM. Left-hander Nick Czyz (4-5, 4.57) will make his 13th 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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Midwest League Stories from September 1, 2010


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