Late charge by LKings comes one run short

Clinton, IA (May 5, 2018) - A late charge by the Clinton Lumberkings came up one run short in an 8-7 loss to the Dayton Dragons on Friday night at Ashford University Field. A six-run rally by the LumberKings (14-10) in the seventh inning was not enough in the team's fourth straight loss.
The scoring started in the top of the third inning against Clinton starter Oliver Jaskie. Jose Garcia lead off the inning by being hit by the pitch and scored when the Dragons (14-11) strung together three straight hits. Michael Beltre capped the rally with a two-run triple to right center field.
In the top of the fourth, the Dragons pulled away with a four-run inning off Jaskie (1-1). Two home runs by Dayton scored all of their runs in the inning. Hendrik Clementina crushed the first long fly of the inning to right center field, part of a two home run night at the plate. Three batters later, and with a runner at first, Narciso Crook lined a ball to right-center that hit off the wall and caromed away from LumberKings center fielder Jack Larsen who crashed hard into the wall. Crook dashed around the bases to score an inside-the-park home run. Larsen would then be removed from the game in the following inning.
Clinton failed to get much going in the way of offense against Dayton starter Adrian Rodriguez. Over his six innings of work he held the LumberKings scoreless on four hits while walking one and striking out six. Rodriguez (1-0) picked up the win for Dayton in his first start since 2016.
Trailing 7-0, the LumberKings exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh. Greifer Andrade started the scoring with a two-run double off the wall in left center and was chased home four batters later on a Dimas Ojeda RBI single. Ariel Sandoval struck the big blow of the inning with a three-run homer to left for his team leading fifth home run of the year.
Dayton added their final run of the night in the top of the eighth. Clementina slugged his second home run of the night, his fifth of the year, to put Dayton on top by two.
Nick Thurman drove in his first run of the season for the LumberKings with an RBI single to right in the bottom of the eight to pull Clinton back to within one.
In the bottom of the ninth, John Ghyzel earned the save for Dayton with a perfect inning of relief.
The LumberKings will host the Dayton Dragons for game two of their three-game set on Saturday night. Clinton will throw right-hander Ryne Inman (1-1, 3.78) while the Dragons will counter with lefty Packy Naughton (2-1, 4.28). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM. Fans looking to listen to the call of the game can hear Erik Oas at 6:15 PM with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI.
About the LumberKings 
 
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 63rd season in the league and their 10th as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 279 former Clinton players have made it to the Major Leagues. The LumberKings play at historic Ashford University Field located off 6th Avenue North at 537 Ballpark Drive. Advertising and tickets for the 2018 season are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com