MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Ninth-Inning Rally Halted by Chiefs

Published on August 1, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - Kevin Rivers blasted a two-run homer down the right-field line to bring Clinton to within two runs in the bottom of the ninth, but right-hander Yohan Gonzalez and the Peoria Chiefs held on to defeat the LumberKings 8-6 on Monday night at Alliant Energy Field. Stefen Romero singled after the Rivers blast to bring the tying run to the plate, but Gonzalez retired Mickey Wiswall, Kalian Sams and Jake Schlander to end the game.

The LumberKings had a 2-1 lead heading into the fourth inning thanks to a game-tying sacrifice fly by Rivers in the first inning and a solo home run by Wiswall into the right-field Lumber Lounge in the second inning. However, the offense dried up from there on against Chiefs' right-hander Starling Peralta (W, 2-3), who allowed two runs over 5.0 innings.

Spot starter Jessie Nava surrendered three runs in the top of the fourth as Peoria took the lead. Micah Gibbs singled to open the fourth and scored on a triple by Brandon May. Ben Klafczynski put the Chiefs ahead to stay with an RBI single to left scoring May. That hit knocked Nava (L, 1-4) out after just 3.0 innings, having not recorded an out in the fourth. Left-hander Ryan Kiel allowed an inherited runner to score as Taiwan Easterling doubled off the outstretched mitt of center-fielder Julio Morban to score Klafczynski. A wild pitch then scored Easterling to give Peoria a 5-2 lead.

Richard Jones lifted a towering two-run homer over the 401 sign in right-center to raise the Chiefs' advantage to 7-2 in the sixth. Kiel was tagged for three total runs over 3.0 innings of relief.

The Kings would still stand a chance against a shaky Peoria bullpen and defense. An error by third-baseman Dustin Geiger sent Sams home to cut the deficit to 7-3 in the sixth, and Morban drew a walk from right-hander Robinson Lopez and scored on Wiswall single to make it a 7-4 game in the seventh.

With the LumberKings down 8-4 in the bottom of the ninth, Morban smashed a double down the right-field line. Rivers then delivered the home run inside the right-field foul pole, his ninth of the year. Romero reached on an infield single to second-baseman Rubi Silva, but was held at first base as Wiswall lined out to a diving Klafczynski in left, Sams popped up to Gonzalez along the first base line and Schlander watched a called strike three to end the game.

Gonzalez (S, 3) ended up with the save despite two runs on four hits over 2.1 innings.

Rivers finished 2-for-2 with a home run and three RBI for Clinton, while Wiswall went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI. Jones drove in two with his homer and finished 3-for-5 to lead Peoria.

The LumberKings (19-17) remain 2.0 games behind first-place Kane County and 2.0 games ahead of Beloit for third place and the West Division Wild Card spot. They now head to Wisconsin to take on the Timber Rattlers (13-22) for a four-game series beginning tomorrow night, first pitch at Time Warner Cable Field scheduled for 7:05 PM. Right-hander George Mieses (4-10, 5.02) gets the game one start for Clinton against Wisconsin right-hander Jimmy Nelson (5-7, 4.30). Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at 1390kcln.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 1, 2011


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