Clinton mounts comeback, escapes with 10-9 win

Clinton, IA - In a game in which each starting pitcher allowed at least six runs and went no more than four innings, the Clinton LumberKings (17-47, 43-90) rallied from a 7-0 fourth inning deficit and defeated the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (26-37, 49-84) 10-9 at Ashford University Field. The Timber Rattlers plated two runs in the ninth inning off of Ronald Dominguez (SV, 3), but left the tying run at third base, as Dominguez struck out Omar Cotto to end the game.

Zack Littell (ND) had his rockiest outing of the season. The righty allowed three runs in the top of the first inning and four more runs in the top of the fourth. Mitch Meyer hit a solo home run in the fourth inning and made it 4-0 Wisconsin, while Tucker Neuhaus made it 7-0 with a two-out two-run home run in the frame. Littell had given up just two home runs in 103.2 innings in 2015 prior to Tuesday night's game, but surrendered two in a span of five hitters.

Opposite Littell, 2015 second round pick Cody Ponce (ND) also had his worst start of the season. The righty had given up just five earned runs over his first 37.1 innings this season, but surrendered six earned runs in the bottom of the fourth. Clinton sent 11 men to the plate in the inning, which featured seven of Clinton's 16 hits. Burt Reynolds highlighted the frame with a two-out, two-RBI single, which brought Clinton within one run, 7-6.

The LumberKings tied the game in the fifth against Gian Rizzo on a two-out RBI single by Austin Cousino. Devin Williams (L, 3-8) relieved Rizzo to begin the sixth inning and quickly retired the first two men that he faced. Joe DeCarlo then picked up a single, Williams walked Gianfranco Wawoe, and Wayne Taylor drove home DeCarlo with a go-ahead RBI single. Martin Peguero followed with a two-RBI double, what proved to be the game-winning hit.

In relief of Littell, Jeffeson Medina (W, 5-10) tossed his second straight three+ inning shutout performance. Medina held the Timber Rattlers scoreless from the fifth through seventh inning despite five base runners. The righty has now gone seven shutout innings over his last two outings.

Dominguez pitched a scoreless eighth inning but nearly blew the save in the ninth. The inning started with three straight singles, the last of which made it 10-8. Sthervin Matos then lined a pitch into shallow left field, but Elvis Rubio, who had to freeze at second base in case Wawoe made the catch, was thrown out at third base for the first out of the inning. Dominguez then struck out Meyer, but allowed an RBI single to Natanael Mejia. Mejia's single made it 10-9 and moved Matos to third base, but Cotto struck out and ended the game.

Thirteen different players finished with at least two hits, while both teams had a pair of starters record three hits. Peguero led all players with three RBIs, while Wawoe and David Denson each reached base a game high four times.

With the season series vs. Wisconsin wrapped up, Clinton will welcome the Beloit Snappers to town for the first time since April. Tyler Herb (6-8, 4.79) is scheduled to start the opener for the LumberKings, while Joey Wagman (8-3, 3.66) is on the docket for Beloit. First pitch in Clinton is set for 6:30 CT. The LumberKings radio broadcast can be heard on WCCI 100.3 FM, WCCIRadio.com, and LumberKings.com.