MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Perez Lifts Lugnuts in 11th Inning

Published on July 16, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - A solo home run by Stefen Romero put Clinton ahead 5-4 in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Lansing catcher Carlos Perez tied the game with an RBI single in the top of the ninth and lifted the Lugnuts to an 8-5 win with another RBI single in the top of the 11th. Perez went 4-for-6 with four RBI to push the Kings' losing streak to three on a steamy Saturday night at Alliant Energy Field.

An RBI double by Garis Pena and a two-run single by Perez gave the Lugnuts a 3-0 lead on right-hander George Mieses in the second inning. Mieses recovered to allow just those three runs over 6.0 innings for his sixth quality start of the season.

The LumberKings tied the score in the fourth as singles by Carlos Ramirez and Romero and a walk drawn by Mike McGee loaded the bases. Tim Morris drove all three in with a triple over the head of center-fielder Jake Marisnick. Kalian Sams then singled to center to score Morris, giving the Kings a 4-3 lead. All four runs were earned to Lugnuts' starter, left-hander Egan Smith.

Right-hander Jonathan Arias worked a scoreless seventh inning but yielded a solo home run to Marcus Knecht to start the eighth, tying the score at 4-4. In the bottom of the inning, Romero blasted a two-out, two-strike pitch from right-hander Tyler Powell to the berm in left. His 10th home run of the season gave Clinton a 5-4 lead.

Right-hander Tyler Burgoon struck out Pena for the first out of the ninth inning, but a throwing error by third-baseman Matt Browning put speedy outfielder Michael Crouse on base with one out. A wild pitch charged to Burgoon moved Crouse to second base, and a hit-and-run single by Perez sent Crouse around to score the tying run.

John Hicks singled and Anthony Phillips walked with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, but Robbie Anston's chopper found right-hander Shawn Griffith on the mound and ended that scoring chance.

In the bottom of the 10th, the LumberKings loaded the bases on Griffith as Ramirez singled, Romero was intentionally walked and Morris drew another walk. Sams worked the count to 3-2 and put the payoff pitch in play softly towards second-baseman Matt Nuzzo, who after fumbling with the ball recovered to throw to first. The close call went against Sams and the Kings, ending the scoring chance and resulting in the ejection of Clinton manager Eddie Menchaca by base umpire Dustin Klinghagen.

Left-hander Jon Hesketh (L, 0-1), activated a day earlier from the disabled list, came on to pitch for the first time since May 22. He started the 11th inning with a walk to Oliver Dominguez, gave up a single to Crouse and then allowed the game-winning single to Perez. K.C. Hobson added a two-run single to extend the Lansing lead to 8-5.

Lugnuts' right-hander Danny Barnes (S, 7) then worked past a leadoff single by Carlton Tanabe to close out the game. That made a winner out of Griffith (W, 3-0).

Morris went 1-for-4 with the triple and three RBI, while Romero went 2-for-4 with the home run and an RBI for Clinton. The LumberKings have lost three-straight games but remain 1.0 game behind first-place Kane County (13-9) and tied for second with Beloit (12-10).

The LumberKings (12-10) and Lugnuts (14-8) continue the three-game series with Sunday afternoon baseball at Alliant Energy Field, first pitch scheduled for 2:00 PM. Left-hander Anthony Fernandez (3-2, 3.32) starts for Clinton while Lansing counters with right-hander Casey Lawrence (6-8, 3.78). 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 16, 2011


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