LumberKings Comeback Falls Short Against Timber Rattlers
May 26, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release
Clinton, IA - Down 9-0 after the top of the third, the LumberKings looked like that were in for a long night. Yet Clinton rallied back and got within a run going into the ninth inning. The rally fell just a bit short, as the Timber Rattlers (22-24) evened the series, squeaking out a 9-8 victory over the LumberKings (24-21) on Wednesday night at Ashford University Field.
LumberKings starter Nick Wells (1-6) came out firing in the first, needing just nine pitches to retire the side in order. It was a similar result from Timber Rattlers starter David Lucroy in the first, as he set the side down in order.
The Timber Rattlers got to work offensively in the second, as David Denson, Max McDowell, and Isan Diaz singled in consecutive order to load the bases for Carlos Belonis. Belonis poked a double to right, scoring Denson and McDowell and moving Diaz to third to make it 2-0 Wisconsin. Troy Stokes hit a sac fly to left to make it 3-0, and Nick Wells was almost out of the inning. However, he grooved a payoff pitch to Blake Allemand, who blasted it over the left field wall for a two run homer, leaving the score at 5-0 after two.
Wells issued back to back walks to lead off the third, and both came home on a one out single by McDowell to extend the lead to seven, and after Diaz reached on a Dalton Kelly error, Belonis came through again, crushing a ball to deep left center for a triple, giving the Timber Rattlers their eighth and ninth runs of the game, and ending the night for Wells.
However, the LumberKings would slowly but surely claw their way back. They loaded the bases in the third against David Lucroy and scored two on a Braden Bishop fielder's choice and a Dalton Kelly sac fly. Conor Harber (1-1) came in for the fourth, and loaded the bases up on a Logan Taylor single, a walk to Arturo Nieto, and a hit by pitch of Ricky Eusebio. Luis Liberato drew a walk with the bases loaded to force in a run to cut the deficit to 9-3. Rayder Ascanio hit into a 6-3 DP though to end the inning.
The big inning came in the sixth as Jake Drossner gave up a leadoff single to Logan Taylor, and with one out walked Arturo Nieto. A passed ball moved both runners up, and Taylor scored as Ricky Eusebio reached on a Mitch Ghelfi fielding error. Luis Liberato drove home a run on a fielder's choice, and after Rayder Ascanio reached with a bloop single, and Braden Bishop tripled Liberato and Ascanio home. After the dust settled, the four run inning had cut the Wisconsin lead to 9-7.
Clinton's best chance to tie came in the eight, as Eusebio lead off with a double against Drossner. Liberato then reached on a bunt single, moving Eusebio to third. That's when Timber Rattlers manager Matt Erickson made the move to closer Nate Griep, setting up the play of the night as the first hitter he faced was Rayder Ascanio. Ascanio grounded a ball to third that was fielded cleanly by Jake Gatewood. Gatewood threw it to second to force out Liberato, and Blake Allemand's turn to first appeared to be a half step late. Yet first baseman Luis Hernandez called Ascanio out, prompting LumberKings manager Mitch Canham to argue the call and get ejected from the game. Eusebio scored to make it 9-8, but the double play killed the rally, as Griep got Braden Bishop to pop up to end the inning. Griep retired the side in order in the ninth for his sixth save.
The rubber game of the series is tomorrow with Art Warren (5-0, 1.12) pitching for Clinton against Freddy Peralta (2-0, 2.01) for Wisconsin. Tomorrow is a Thirsty Thursday, with ten ounce Miller Lite and Coors Light drafts available for just one dollar. Get your tickets by calling 563-242-0727, visiting the box office at Ashford University Field, or by visiting the ticketing page at www.lumberkings.com.
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