LumberKings Take Sunday Matinee from Hawks

Published on July 14, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


Catcher Marcus Littlewood's three-run homerun in the top of the sixth inning was enough offense for the Clinton LumberKings as they took a 6-2 victory over the South Bend Silver Hawks on Sunday afternoon. Starting pitcher Tyler Pike (6-3), who entered the game third in the Midwest League in ERA at 2.39, held the Silver Hawks to two runs over six innings for the victory. The LumberKings scored all six of their runs in the game with two outs.

It was a pitcher's duel at Coveleski Regional Stadium as both teams were held scoreless over the first three innings. Hawks' starter Daniel Watts (10-4) matched Pike zero for zero as he did not allow a run over the first five innings. South Bend (58-35, 14-10) got on the board first with a run in the bottom of the fourth. Third baseman Brandon Drury led off the inning with a line drive single to left field. With one out, center fielder Breland Almadova walked to put runners at first and second. Designated hitter Michael Perez also walked to load the bases. Catcher Roidany Aguila then drove in his first run of the game with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Drury and giving the Hawks the early 1-0 lead. Pike retired left fielder Michael Lang on a fly out to left field to escape further trouble.

Watts held the lead until the top of the sixth when Clinton (45-47, 12-11) took advantage of a Hawks error to score three runs and take the lead. With one out, Hawks shortstop Andrew Velazquez was unable to field a grounder that let Clinton centerfielder Janelfry Zorrilla reach first base. Left fielder Dario Pizzano laced a ball to the right-center field gap that would have scored a run if not for a great diving catch by Almadova. This was only a temporary respite for the Hawks however as designated hitter Jabari Henry drew a walk and Littlewood hit a 2-0 fastball just fair down the left field line for a three-run homer and a 3-1 lead. Watts ended up going 6 and 1/3 innings, allowing no earned runs and striking out four LumberKings.

South Bend, the Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, clawed one run back against Pike in his last inning of work. With one out in the bottom of the sixth, first baseman Rudy Flores lined a single to center. After Pike recorded the second out of the inning, Perez walked and advanced Flores to second. Aguila then drove in his second run of the game with a single to right that scored Flores. On Aguila's single, the right fielder made a strong throw to retire Perez trying to go from first to third and end the inning. Pike ended up allowing two runs over six innings on four hits and five walks.

Clinton, the Class-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, added an insurance run in the top of the eighth inning against Hawks reliever Thomas Brendel. After escaping a jam in the seventh inning, Brendel surrendered a lead-off double to Pizzano in the eighth. Henry hit a high chopper to short that advanced Pizzano to third and after Littlewood walked, Guerrero beat out a double-play ball that plated Pizzano and gave the LumberKings a 4-2 lead.

The LumberKings continued to add to their lead with two runs in the ninth inning. The whole rally started with two outs. Janelfry Zorrilla beat out a swinging bunt to the pitcher to start the rally. Pizzano lined a single to center to put two men on. Henry then hit a high fly ball that just missed going out to left center, hitting off of the top of the fence instead for a two run double and a 6-2 lead. Clinton's Blake Holovach (S, 1) closed the door on the Hawks after Pike left. He pitched three innings, allowing only one baserunner on an infield single to third by Almadova to lead off the bottom of the ninth inning. Holovach struck out 3 Silver Hawks in earning his first save of the season.

The Hawks and LumberKings meet for the third and last time this regular season on Monday night here at the Cove. First pitch is at 7:05pm. Righty Charles Kaalekahi (3-1, 4.85 ERA) takes the mound for the LumberKings while righty Brandon Sinnery (6-4, 3.07 ERA) gets the start for the Silver Hawks. It's Belly Buster Monday at the Cove so upgrade your ticket for a wristband that includes unlimited hot dogs, hamburgers, popcorn and peanuts during the game. It is also time for the Stache Bash at the Cove as a winner from each of the four categories (Selleck, Gable, Chewbacca, and Rollie) will be announced at the game. Make sure to vote for your favorite entries at www.facebook.com/SouthBendSilverHawks .

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Midwest League Stories from July 14, 2013


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