Chiefs shut out Clinton in Sunday matinee

Peoria wins third straight over the LumberKings

By Mike Weisman

July 12, 2015

Clinton, IA - Following a 15-inning matchup Saturday night, the Clinton LumberKings (5-13, 31-56) and Peoria Chiefs (10-8, 43-43) played a lengthy nine inning game Sunday afternoon, as the visitors won for the third straight day, a 3-0 final. 2014 first round pick Jack Flaherty (W, 5-1) did not allow a run over six innings, as Clinton was shut out for the sixth time in 2015.

Though Tyler Herb (L, 4-6) allowed just one earned run over six innings and recorded his team leading eighth quality start, the Clinton offense managed nothing for him. Herb allowed a run on an RBI single in the second inning to Jhohan Acevedo, what ended as the game-winning hit.

Down 1-0 in the third inning, Oscar Mercado reached on a fielding error by Joe DeCarlo, and then moved to second on a single by Harrison Bader. The Chiefs attempted a double steal, and Wayne Taylor's throw to third base sailed into the Clinton bullpen, which allowed Mercado to score. Peoria led 2-0 after three innings.

The LumberKings threatened vs. Flaherty in the fourth inning without a hit. The righty walked both Chantz Mack and Pat Leyland, and then hit Chris Mariscal with a pitch. But Flaherty retired both Joe DeCarlo and Taylor with the bases loaded. Clinton stranded nine runners on the day and finished 0-7 with runners in scoring position.

Dixon Llorens did not allow a hit over two scoreless innings, while Kyle Grana (SV, 10) worked around a single by Taylor in a scoreless ninth inning. Grana improved to a perfect 10 for 10 in save opportunities.

Paul DeJong, Luis Cruz, and Acevedo each finished with two hits for Peoria, while no one recorded multiple hits for the LumberKings. Martin Peguero's fifth inning double was Clinton's only extra base hit.

In the midst of a four game losing streak, the LumberKings will try to salvage the series with a victory in the finale Monday morning. First pitch at Ashford University Field is set for 11 AM CT. The LumberKings broadcast can be heard on WCCI 100.3 FM, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.