MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Offense Busts Out as Kings Save Face

Published on July 30, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - Clutch nights from Luis Nunez and Blake Ochoa and a six-inning effort from left-hander Nick Czyz helped the Clinton LumberKings break free from their struggles in a 10-4 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Alliant Energy Field.

Nunez reached on an infield single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Tim Morris in the first inning, then ripped a two-out RBI single to score Daniel Carroll and Matt Cerione in the fourth inning. His 2-for-5 performance keyed the Kings to a 4-0 lead against Kernels' ace right-hander Fabio Martinez.

Ochoa's offense would hurt Martinez after his early exit in the fourth as he skied a double over the head of Matt Long in center to score Nick Franklin from second base. Mario Martinez would following a broken-bat flare to right that scored Vinnie Catricala, and Carroll legged out a fielder's choice to plate Ochoa. An error by catcher Drew Beuerlein allowed Carroll to come around for the final tally of a four-run fifth, extending the Clinton lead to 8-0.

Czyz (W, 3-2) appeared comfortable with that lead, pitching 5.0 scoreless innings before running into trouble in the sixth. He'd allow an RBI single to Jon Karcich and sacrifice fly to Long before striking out Jeremy Cruz to end the inning. Czyz finished with two runs - one earned - on four hits, no walks and five strikeouts over 6.0 innings.

Right-hander John Housey worked a scoreless seventh but yielded a pair of runs in the eighth as the Kernels cut the deficit to 8-4. Ochoa would get those runs back, thankfully, sending a two-out single to left in the bottom of the eighth to score James Jones and Franklin.

Right-hander Forrest Snow then worked around a Justin Bass double to retire the side in a non-save ninth.

Martinez (L, 7-3) lost for the first time since June 6 as a result of six runs - five earned - on five hits over 4.1 innings. He walked four and struck out seven before exiting in favor of left-hander Buddy Boshers. The Cedar Rapids bullpen surrendered four additional runs, including two by Boshers and two more by right-hander Matt Oye.

In addition to the multi-hit efforts from Nunez and Ochoa, Franklin also enjoyed a 3-for-5 game that included a double and two runs scored. Martinez notched his 50th RBI of the year with an RBI single as part of a 2-for-5 night also.

Karcich finished 2-for-4 for the Kernels, while Long went 1-for-2 with two RBI.

The LumberKings (15-17) head to the road to open a three-game series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (15-18) tomorrow night at Time Warner Cable Field, first pitch scheduled for 6:35 PM. Right-hander Erasmo Ramirez (7-4, 2.67) makes his 16th start of the season. 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 July 30, 2010


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