MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Sams' Single Sweeps Away Rattlers

Published on July 29, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - The Clinton LumberKings achieved a home series sweep and reached a four-game winning streak for the first time this season as they secured a 5-3 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Friday night at Alliant Energy Field. Former Rattler Kalian Sams came through with the deciding hit, singling home Kevin Rivers and Matt Browning with two outs in the seventh inning.

The LumberKings trailed 3-2 entering the seventh, but loaded the bases on three-straight one-out walks dealt by Wisconsin left-hander Alan Williams. Williams exited in favor of right-hander Casey Medlen who then struck out Mickey Wiswall for the second out, but Medlen wouldn't leave them loaded. His 2-2 pitch to Sams went through to the backstop to score McGee for the tying run and set the stage for Sams' heroic hit.

Sams lined the 3-2 pitch out of the reach of shortstop Mike Brownstein, sending Rivers and Browning home to put Clinton ahead, 5-3. Medlen (BS, 1) allowed all three inherited runners to score to the line of Williams (L, 0-1) before ending the inning and pitching a scoreless eighth.

Left-hander Anthony Fernandez (W, 4-3) made it through 7.0 innings for the fifth time in his last six starts, limiting the Rattlers to three runs, one earned, on six hits while striking out four.

Wisconsin scored a run in the first as T.J. Mittelstaedt singled and scored on a one-out single to right by Mike Walker, then added two unearned runs in the fourth to take a 3-2 lead. Greg Hopkins struck out but reached on a wild pitch and scored on a fielding error by shortstop Jetsy Extrano. That error also extended the frame for Franklin Romero, who tripled off the wood wall in right to bring home Tony Pechek.

Rattlers' right-hander Brooks Hall made that lead stand up over 6.0 innings, keeping the Kings to just two runs, one earned, on five hits while striking out a season-high 10 batters. He briefly fell behind 2-1 I the third inning as McGee was hit by a pitch and scored on a balk and Rivers singled and scored on an error by Walker at third base.

After the quality outing by Fernandez, left-hander Ryan Kiel (H, 2) and right-hander Jonathan Arias (S, 4) combined to strike out three batters over 2.0 scoreless innings to end the game.

Sams finished 1-for-4 with the two RBI to lead the way for the LumberKings, who remain 2.0 games behind first-place Kane County but now lead Beloit by 2.0 games for the West Division Wild Card. Rivers went 2-for-3 with two runs scored as well.

Reggie Keen went 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot for Wisconsin, who dropped to 13-20 in the second half.

The LumberKings (18-15) continue the homestand with a three-game set against the Peoria Chiefs (10-22) beginning tomorrow night. First pitch on "Stay Late Saturday" at Alliant Energy Field is scheduled for 6:00 PM. Right-hander Taijuan Walker (4-5, 3.31) starts for Clinton against Peoria right-hander Matt Loosen (2-1, 1.73). 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 29, 2011


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