MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

LumberKings offense breaks out in win

Published on June 30, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - A seven-run first inning was only the beginning of the offensive onslaught Monday night as the Clinton bats rapped out a season-high 17 runs on 25 hits in a 17-5 thrashing of the Quad Cities River Bandits. Jonathan Greene went yard twice, belting a two-run homer in the second inning and adding a solo blast in the fifth as the LumberKings split the series.

Longballs weren't the only story on the night. The Kings opened the bottom of the first against Bandits starter Brian Broderick with five straight singles, including RBI base hits by Mitch Moreland and Greene. Jose Felix skied a two-run double to left, and Davis Stoneburner picked up his first RBIs with Clinton, lacing a two-run triple to the right-center gap. Kyle Murphy closed the big inning with an infield single to short, scoring Stoneburner.

Greene delivered his third home run in as many games with Moreland on in the second, leaving the yard to deep left center. His 10th home run made it a 9-0 game.

Clinton would score another run in the fourth, and it was again Greene coming through in the fifth. He lifted a solo blast to the berm in left off right-hander Dylan Gonzalez, giving him his 11th home run and first multi-homer game this year.

Left-hander Michael Kirkman cruised through the Bandits lineup through the first five innings, yielding just a hit while striking out six. He hit the wall in the sixth inning as Quad Cities attempted to make a game of it. Both Nick Peoples and Domnit Bolivar cracked two-run homers, making the score 12-4. Kirkman (W, 1-0) exited not long after, allowing all four runs as earned on five hits over 5.2 innings, striking out six while walking only one.

In the bottom of the sixth, the Kings got all four runs right back. Cristian Santana entered the sixth as the only man in the lineup without a hit, and changed that in a big way. Facing righty Brandon Garner with the bases loaded, he belted a no-doubter over the pavilion in left for his eighth home run. It was the fourth grand slam hit by a LumberKing this year, the first by Santana.

Every LumberKing had at least two hits and a run scored in the biggest offensive output since Clinton downed Cedar Rapids, 18-14 at Alliant Energy Field on May 15, 2006. That was the famous "Jordan Renz" game in which the Kernels slugger belted a league-record three home runs and 10 RBI in a losing cause.

Tim Smith was the only King to reach the "steak dinner", going 4-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored. Moreland also doubled twice (his team-leading 23rd and 24th), going 3-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBI. Stoneburner notched a season-best three RBI in a 3-for-6 game, and Felix added two RBI, finishing 3-for-6.

Broderick (L, 3-6) served up nine runs on 12 hits over just 1.1 inning, while the Quad Cities bullpen allowed eight more runs over the final 6.2 innings.

The LumberKings (4-8) head to Beloit for a four-game series with the West Division-leading Snappers. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 PM. Listen to the game on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton or live on the web at www.lumberkings.com.

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Midwest League Stories from June 30, 2008


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