MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

LumberKings Take 15 Inning, Nearly 5-Hour Game from Chiefs

Published on May 29, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Peoria, IL - One out away from a lengthy three hour win, Clinton closer Kody Kerski (BS) allowed a game tying two-run home run to Nick Thompson in the bottom of the ninth inning. Thompson's fifth home run of the season capped off the Peoria Chiefs' (24-24) comeback down 8-2 after 1.5 innings. But after the game stretched into the 15th inning, the LumberKings (23-25) tallied five straight hits to pick up the 11-8 win.

Peoria starter Fernando Baez dug the Chiefs into an early hole, as Kristian Brito launched his fourth home run of the year in the first inning. The LumberKings then sent 11 men to the plate as part of a six-run second inning. Baez walked four and gave up four hits as he was charged with a season high eight earned runs.

After Peoria manager Joe Kruzel took Baez out of the game, the Chiefs' bullpen was nearly flawless until the 15th. The bullpen did not allow a hit between the second and 15th innings, a span of 41 Clinton batters. The dominant bullpen allowed Peoria to chip away at the Clinton lead and set up Thompson's home run in the ninth inning.

Tyler Bray (L, 2-2) retired the first seven hitters he faced Thursday night, as he got the side in order in the 13th and 14th innings and the leadoff man in the 15th. But a bunt single by Rayder Ascanio started a stretch of five straight singles for Clinton.

After Ascanio was caught stealing, Chantz Mack singled. With two strikes to the next batter Brito, Mack took off for second base. Brito's ground ball went right at the second base bag, and with Mack heading into the bag, neither the shortstop nor second baseman could field it. It was ruled a single, the type of play that is necessary to win a 15 inning game. The play that followed was even more so, as Estarlyn Morales hit a blooper down the right field line, which fell between Thompson, Justin Ringo, and Andrew Sohn. Mack scored on the single, and Joe DeCarlo plated two more with the single that followed.

Troy Scott (W, 2-1) pitched a scoreless 14th inning, and after his team put him in line for the win, he faced just four batters in a scoreless 15th inning. The game took 4:51 to complete, by far the longest game in which Clinton has played in 2015. Tyler Herb (ND) allowed five earned runs over 3.2 innings in the start for Clinton.

13 total pitchers were used, six by Clinton and seven by Peoria, while 498 total pitches were thrown. Arby Fields (0-6) had his nine game hit streak snapped in the loss, while Ascanio, Mack, Brito, and Morales each finished with two hits. Oscar Mercado, Thompson, and Sohn each finished with three hits for the Chiefs.

With a series win on the road in books, Clinton will begin a four game series vs. the current wild card leading Cedar Rapids Kernels Friday night at Perfect Game Field. First pitch is set for 6:35 CT. The LumberKings broadcast can be heard on WCCI 100.3 FM, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 29, 2015


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