Sports stats



Clinton LumberKings

Walker, Bullpen Combine on Four-Hit Shutout

August 10, 2011 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Clinton, IA - Clinton right-hander Taijuan Walker scattered four hits over 5.0 scoreless innings and relievers Ryan Kiel and Tyler Burgoon kept up their end of the shutout as the LumberKings defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels 2-0 on Wednesday night at Alliant Energy Field. Mickey Wiswall's two-out RBI single in the third inning proved to be enough for the victory.

Walker (W, 6-5) allowed three of the four hits in a rocky first inning. Travis Witherspoon reached on a bunt single up the first-base line to start the game, but after several fruitless checks to first base, Walker finally caught him leaning and picked him off. Still, the Kernels would threaten as Rolando Gomez lined a single to right and Jeremy Cruz singled up the middle, but Walker induced an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play off the bat of Jeremy Cruz.

The LumberKings' offense supported Walker with a run in the third inning as Julio Morban singled to right, moved around the bases on a pair of groundouts and scored as Wiswall lined a single into shallow left. An inning later, Anthony Phillips ripped a solo home run just inside the left-field foul pole to make it 2-0. Kernels' right-hander Justin La Tempa (L, 2-7), allowed both runs on six hits over 4.0 innings.

Mike McGee and Morban each singled after the Phillips blast and McGee nearly scored as Kevin Rivers' pop-up fell to the turf between Kernels' third-baseman Bryan Hernandez and La Tempa, but Rivers was still thrown out at first by Hernandez, ending the inning.

Kiel (H, 3) came on in the sixth and retired all nine batters he faced in a row, striking out three. Burgoon (S, 12), retired all three batters he faced in the ninth, striking out Gomez to secure his first save since July 25.

With the win, Walker is now 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 16.0 innings in three starts against Cedar Rapids. Morban finished 2-for-3 with a run scored to lead the offense, while Wiswall went 1-for-3 with an RBI and Phillips added his fourth home run, going 1-for-4.

Gomez went 2-for-4 with a single and a double for the Kernels.

The LumberKings (24-21) continue the series with the Kernels (18-27) tomorrow night Alliant Energy Field, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. Left-hander Tony Butler (1-2, 3.26) makes the start for Clinton against Cedar Rapids' right-hander A.J. Schugel (3-3, 2.77). Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at 1390kcln.com.

Check out the Clinton LumberKings Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...

Midwest League Stories from August 10, 2011


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central