Littell Pitches LumberKings To Fourth Shutout

Dayton, OH - Pitching in front of his mother, grandmother, and girlfriend, Zack Littell (1-2) brought his best stuff to Fifth Third Field in Dayton on Saturday night. Littell threw seven shutout innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four, as the LumberKings (14-8) faced just two batters over the minimum, blanking the Dragons (5-18) 4-0 at Fifth Third Field.

The game almost didn't happen, as the start was delayed two hours and thirty five minutes due to torrential downpours in Dayton. Once the game did get started, Littell and Dayton starter Jose Lopez (3-2) went blow for blow for the first two innings. 

Clinton got the line rolling in the third as Arturo Nieto led off with a walk. With one out and Nieto at first, Aaron Barbosa rolled a ball to James Vasquez at first, who was well off the bag. Barbosa flew down the line, and the throw from Vazquez sailed way over the head of Jose Lopez who was covering the bag. The error allowed Nieto to move to third and Barbosa to second. Rayder Ascanio stepped in next, and hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring Nieto to make it 1-0 Clinton.

The LumberKings would get more on the board in the fifth, as after Arturo Nieto lead off with a single. Aaron Barbosa stepped up with one out, and laid down a bunt down the third base line. Dayton third baseman Hector Vargas booted the ball, allowing Barbosa to reach and moving Nieto to third. That brought Rayder Ascanio back up, and he hit another sac fly to left, driving home Nieto to make it 2-0. It marks the third straight game that Ascanio has driven in two runs. Dalton Kelly walked, bringing up James Alfonso, who singled to right to bring home Barbosa to make it 3-0.

That was all that Littell needed, as he mowed down the Dragons in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings. He allowed singles in the sixth and seventh, but got double plays in both of those frames. Littell has now gone at six innings in three straight starts. This also marks the first time the LumberKings have had starters go seven innings in back to back.

Osmer Morales came in and pitched a perfect eighth inning. Dalton Kelly with the bases loaded in the ninth singled home a run to make it 4-0, extending his hitting streak to a team high 11 games. Morales threw a scoreless ninth, picking up his third save.

The LumberKings go for the sweep tomorrow as they send Kyle Wilcox to the hill. Dayton will counter with righty Franderlin Romero. First pitch is scheduled for 2:07 eastern time. Listen to Greg Mroz call the game on WCCI 100.3 FM or on the multimedia page at www.lumberkings.com.