MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Santana's Blast Saves Kings

Published on August 7, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - For the third-straight night, the Clinton LumberKings and Wisconsin Timber Rattlers waited until the late innings to decide a one-run game. This time around, it was the Kings with the last laugh as Cristian Santana's two-run home run in the eighth inning powered Clinton to a 4-3 win.

Santana's 10th blast of the year capped a clutch 3-for-3 night. He stepped to the plate against Rattlers righty Joe Kantakevich with Tim Smith aboard at first and crushed a no-doubter to the left-field berm, erasing a 3-2 deficit.

Lefty Joseph Ortiz (S, 3) came on and closed the door with a perfect ninth, retiring all three batters on groundouts.

Prior to Santana's heroics, it was almost another "game that got away" for the LumberKings. Clinton twice tied the score, making it 1-1 in the second as Smith scored on Miguel Alfonzo's double-play ball, and at 2-2 in the sixth on a two-out single by Andres James.

Still, Wisconsin found a way to grab the lead in the top of the eighth. After getting out of a two-on, two-out jam in the seventh, right-hander Julio Santana got into trouble again with two outs. Alex Liddi dropped a double just inside the left-field line and Joe White walked to put runners at first and second. Santana worked into a two-strike count against Alex Meneses, but he slashed a single to right, scoring Liddi.

The damage could have been worse, if not for a strong throw by Alfonzo to retire Meneses trying to stretch for a double. That kept the deficit at 3-2 and gave the Kings a fighting chance.

J. Santana (W, 4-2) allowed just one run on three hits over 2.0 innings, walking two while striking out two. It was the best outing in a while for the right-hander, who came in with a 13.50 ERA over his previous four outings.

Kantakevich (L, 0-1) took the loss, yielding just his third home run of the season. Over 1.1 innings, the Rattlers reliever gave up two runs on four hits, striking out one.

Both starters were solid, each ending up with no-decisions. Jorge Quintero tossed a career-high 6.0 innings for the LumberKings, limiting Wisconsin to two runs on six hits while striking out two. Edward Paredes of the Timber Rattlers struck out eight batters over 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on eight hits.

Aside from C. Santana's three-hit night, the Kings also received big contributions from Smith (2-for-4, two runs scored) and Carlos Dominguez (3-for-4).

Liddi lead the way for Wisconsin, finishing 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.

The LumberKings (24-22) and Timber Rattlers (14-32) close out the series tomorrow night at Alliant Energy Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. Listen to the game on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton or live on the web at www.lumberkings.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 7, 2008


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