MWL1 Clinton LumberKings

Wilcox Dominates As LumberKings Sweep Dragons

May 1, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Clinton LumberKings News Release


Dayton, OH - Kyle Wilcox (1-1) threw six scoreless innings, and the LumberKings held off a furious Dragons rally in the eighth, holding on for a 8-4 win, sweeping the series from Dayton at Fifth Third Field. The LumberKings recorded their first sweep in a three game series since they swept the Burlington Bees in August of 2014.

After being held hitless through the first two innings by Franderlin Romero (1-2), the LumberKings got their first hit on an infield single from Braden Bishop with one out in the third. Aaron Barbosa blooped a single to right after Bishop's hit, putting runners at first and second for Rayder Ascanio. Ascanio moved both runners up with a groundout to first, bringing Dalton Kelly to the dish with two outs. Romero threw a first pitch fastball low and through the wickets of catcher Mitch Trees, scoring Bishop from third to make it 1-0 LumberKings.

Clinton would get two in the fifth, as Braden Bishop lead off with a single, and Aaron Barbosa walked to start the frame against reliever Wendolyn Bautista. Rayder Ascanio sacrificed both runners to second and third, but Bautista then struck out Dalton Kelly. James Alfonso with two outs though came through, driving a single to right center field, scoring both runs to make it 3-0 LumberKings.

Wilcox dealt furiously, as he allowed just two hits, with neither of them coming until the fourth inning. He allowed a leadoff single to Luis Gonzalez in the fifth, but got Mitch Trees to line into a 5-3 double play to end the inning. The righty set a career high in innings pitched and struck out a career high six hitters while walking only one.

With the score 6-1 in the eighth the Dragons stormed back. Mitch Trees lead off the inning with a triple to right center off of Matt Walker, and Jose Siri then doubled him home to make it 6-2 LumberKings. Mitch Piatnik stepped up next, and although he struck out, a dropped third strike allowed him to reach base. Brantley Bell then singled home Siri to make it 6-3, prompting Mitch Canham to call Spencer Herrmann in from the bullpen. Herrmann walked Shed Long on four pitches to load the bases, but then fought back to get Ed Charlton out on strikes. James Vasquez drove a run home on a ground out to make it 6-4, but Herrmann fanned Luis Gonzalez to end the inning, stranding the tying run at second.

The LumberKings would get some key insurance in the eighth as they loaded the bases against Michael Sullivan. Rafael Fernandez with the bases loaded poked a single up the middle, scoring two to make it 8-4 LumberKings. Joey Strain ran into trouble in the ninth, but got a double play and a fly out to seal the victory for Clinton.

Clinton finished their six game road trip with a 4-2 record. Click here for today's box score. The team returns home tomorrow for a six game homestand starting with a 6:30 PM start against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. Lefty Nick Wells goes for the LumberKings, while Fort Wayne counters with righty Jacob Nix. Tickets can be purchased by calling 563-242-0727 or by visiting the ticketing page at www.lumberkings.com.

Check out the Clinton LumberKings Statistics



Midwest League Stories from May 1, 2016


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