MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Smith Homers Twice, Kings Roll Over Peoria

Published on August 25, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - A pair of majestic blasts to right field off the bat of Tim Smith helped the Clinton LumberKings claim a 10-6 win over the Peoria Chiefs Monday night. Smith lifted off with three-run and solo homers, finishing 2-for-5 with four RBI.

With the game tied 2-2 in the second, the Kings set the table in front of Smith as Engel Beltre dropped a flare into left and Matt Lawson walked. Smith battled Peoria starter Audy Santana, fouling off several 3-2 pitches before airing out a towering clout that carried over the metal shed down the right-field line. His 11th homer of the year made it a 5-3 game.

Left-hander Michael Kirkman had a tough time keeping the Chiefs off the board as they answered with a three-run third. Jovan Rosa smashed a double off the wood wall in center, and after a walk by Luis Bautista and infield single by Rebel Ridling loaded the bases, it was defensive miscues that helped Peoria.

Lawson made a diving stop of Dylan Johnston's grounder, but the second-baseman's throw to first was wide. Both Rosa and Bautista came home. Elvis Lara then lifted a sac fly to center, scoring Ridling.

The Chiefs suffered a defensive lapse of their own that gave the LumberKings the lead right back in the bottom of the third. Center-fielder Brandon Guyer dropped a two-out fly ball off the bat of Davis Stoneburner, scoring both Justin Smoak and Miguel Alfonzo to give Clinton a 7-5 lead.

Both Kirkman and Santana failed to make it to the fifth inning, and for a time, both bullpens looked to be more effective as the game stayed 7-5 until the seventh. Peoria climbed back to within a run against left-hander Ryan Turner as Rosa roped his second double down the right-field line, and Guyer reached on an infield single deep in the hole at short. Stoneburner's throw across the diamond went into the Chiefs' dugout, scoring Rosa.

The Kings got the run back on Smith's second home run, a solo blast into the right-field Lumber Lounge, and added two more. Jonathan Greene reached on a fielder's choice and scored on a triple to right-center by Alfonzo, Carlos Dominguez then legged out an infield single in front of the plate, allowing Alfonzo to scamper home.

Smoak added insurance in the eighth with a sac fly to center, plating Lawson who reached after being hit by a Jon Mueller pitch.

Turner (W, 6-3) worked the final 5.0 innings of the game, allowing an unearned run on four hits while striking out four. The relief outing was the longest by a LumberKing this year, eclipsing right-hander Keisuke Ueno's 4.2 inning outing on June 14 against Wisconsin.

Santana (L, 1-7) lasted just 2.1 innings for Peoria, serving up seven runs (five earned) on six hits while walking three and striking out two. Right-hander Jon Mueller gave up an additional three runs on five hits over just an inning of relief.

Five different Clinton hitters posted multi-hit games, lead by Beltre's 3-for-5, two-run performance atop the order. Lawson (2-for-3, three runs), Smith (2-for-5, two runs, four RBI), Moreland (2-for-4, RBI) and Dominguez (2-for-4, RBI) also contributed big nights.

Rosa ripped three doubles in the losing effort for Peoria, becoming the first hitter in the Midwest League to reach the 40 double mark. Guyer and catcher Luis Flores also recorded two hits apiece.

The LumberKings (32-31) close out their 2008 home schedule tomorrow night against the Chiefs (28-35). First pitch at Alliant Energy Field is scheduled for 7:00 PM. It is "Back to College Night" at the ballpark, hosted by Ashford University and Clinton Community College. 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 25, 2008


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