MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Two Big Innings Lift LumberKings in Kane County

Published on August 16, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Geneva, IL - In a pivotal series that could go a long way to determine the playoff fate of both the Clinton LumberKings and the Kane County Cougars, it was the LumberKings who stepped up in game one. Clinton used two monster innings to run away with a 10-4 win on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark.

Facing a 3-0 deficit after two innings, the bats came alive for Clinton as Jabari Blash got the scoring started for the LumberKings with a scorching double down the left field line to score Dan Paolini. It was Blash's fourth consecutive game with a double. Paolini finished the night 3 for 6 with three runs and two RBIs.

The LumberKings took advantage of three Kane County errors in the fifth inning and got back in the game. After Guillermo Pimentel doubled to lead off the frame, Cougars' hurler ngel Baez threw two sac bunt attempts into right field, heading off a big inning. With the game tied, 3-3, Paolini launched a two-run homer down the left field line to give Clinton a lead they would not relinquish.

It was Pimentel who started another rally in the sixth when he walked. After Anthony Phillips doubled, Dillon Hazlett and Jamal Austin collected RBIs as Clinton extended the lead to 7-3. Paolini reached on an error and Ramon Morla doubled to the right field wall, bringing in Austin and Paolini to make it 9-3. Kevin Rivers capped the LumberKings scoring with another double in the sixth inning for a five-run frame.

With a comfortable 10-3 lead, Clinton turned the ball over to the bullpen after Jordan Pries' five innings in his fourth start of the year. Stephen Shackleford and Jeremy Dobbs combined for the final four innings against the Cougars.

With the win, Clinton extended their lead to five games over Kane County for a playoff spot. The two teams meet Thursday for game two of the three-game set. Clinton sends right-hander Bobby Shore (3-2, 1.45) to the mound while Kane County counters with right-hander Kyle Zimmer (1-2, 4.32). The matchup is a rematch of when the two pitchers squared off on August 10 in Clinton. Both right-handers struck out 10 batters and did not allow a run in a combined 12 2/3 innings. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30.

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Midwest League Stories from August 16, 2012


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