MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Morales Touched for Two in the Eighth, Bees Win 4-2

Published on August 27, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Burlington, IA - Despite a two-run comeback, the Clinton LumberKings (15-44, 41-87) dropped the series opener at Community Field 4-2 to the Burlington Bees (21-38, 56-72). The Bees scored the first two runs of the game off of Zack Littell (ND) in the third inning, Clinton plated a run in the fifth and a run in the seventh, but the Bees scored two off of Osmer Morales (L, 1-7) in the eighth in route to the win.

Littell notched his third straight quality start and fourth in his past seven starts, as the righty allowed just two runs over six innings. Both runs came in the third inning, as the Bees had three of their six hits vs. Littell in that frame. Ayendy Perez led off the inning with a single to right field and scored on David Fletcher's RBI double to the left field corner. Three batters later, Zachary Houchins made it 2-0 on a sacrifice fly to left field. Littell departed on the hook for his seventh loss, but Clinton rallied and tied the game.

Neither run that Clinton scored was earned, as Justin Anderson (ND) and Gaither Bumgardner (BS, W, 3-0) each allowed one unearned run. Anderson tallied his fourth quality start in his last five starts, as the righty went six innings, struck out five, and allowed only one unearned run. Bumgardner allowed one hit, walked two, and struck out two over two innings of relief.

Adam Martin led off the fifth inning with a single vs. Anderson, moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt, took third on a groundout, then scored on a passed ball charged to Taylor Ward. Martin then began the seventh inning with a walk vs. Bumgardner and moved to second base on Martin Peguero's single. Arby Fields grounded out to second base, as Tim Arakawa tagged out Peguero, but his attempted double play throw to first was in the dirt, which allowed Martin to score from second base. Arakawa was charged with his fourth error of the season, as the miscue tied the game at two.

The game remained 2-2 until the bottom of the eighth inning. Morales relieved Pat Peterson, who went one shutout inning. Fletcher greeted the righty with a single and scored on Arakawa's RBI double into the left field corner. After Ward grounded out, Houchins reached in an infield single that moved Arakawa to third base. Morales' team leading fourth balk of the season plated the runner from third and made it 4-2, the eventual final.

Jordan Piche (SV, 7) struck out Joe DeCarlo and got both Kristian Brito and Martin to fly out to center field in a perfect ninth inning. Littell remained winless in his last five starts, despite having given up fewer than four earned runs in each outing. Eight of the nine Burlington starters reached base, while Perez, Fletcher, and Houchins each had two hits. Clinton went 0-5 with RISP, while both teams left six men on base.

With the win, Burlington clinched at least a season series split with the LumberKings. Game two of the series is set for 6:30 CT Friday night, as Tyler Herb (5-8, 4.98) will oppose Burlington righty Austin Robichaux (8-7, 3.89). Herb is 1-0 in two starts vs. the Bees, while Robichaux is 1-1 in four starts vs. the Lumberings. The teams will play the series finale Saturday night at 6:30 before Clinton returns home for its final homestand of the season.

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Midwest League Stories from August 27, 2015


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