LumberKings avoid sweep with 7-2 win

Peoria, IL (May 17, 2018) - Five extra base hits by the Clinton LumberKings made up the difference in a 7-2 win over the Peoria Chiefs on Thursday night at Dozer Park. Dimas Ojeda was one of several offense stand outs for Clinton (20-16) going 4-for-4 with a run scored and two RBI.
Clinton scored almost immediately against Peoria (20-17) starter Zach Prendergast. Joseph Rosa lined double into the corner in right and moved to third on a misplay by Matt Fiedler. Five pitches later Rosa scored when Eugene Helder grounded out to second.
The LumberKings add to the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Ariel Sandoval collected the first of his three extra base hits to open the inning and scored on a Jack Larsen single up the middle. Ojeda then chased home the second run of the inning with a single through the right side of the infield.
Nick Wells started for Clinton and turned in his second quality start of the season to pick up his team-high third win of the season. He held the Chiefs to just one run over his six innings of work while surrendering six hits, walking three, and striking out five.
Peoria tallied their only run of the night off Wells (3-2) in the bottom of the fourth. A one out double by Elehuris Montero lead to a run when Dennis Ortega followed with an RBI single to center.
Clinton would start to pull away in the top of the sixth inning. Sandoval lined a leadoff double to right, his second double of the game, and scored on Ojeda's second RBI single of the night. In what was Prendergast (4-2) final inning of work, he then threw two wild pitches to allow Larsen to score the second Clinton run of the inning.
Ryan Costello capped the scoring for Clinton in the top of the eighth. The Clinton first baseman slugged a two-run home run to right to put Clinton top by six, 7-1, his fifth big fly of the year.
Peoria added their final run of the night in the bottom of the ninth on an RBI ground out by Fiedler but would get no closer.
The win snaps a seven-game winning streak by the Chiefs and ends the LumberKings longest road trip of the season, 10-games, with a 5-5 mark.
The LumberKings head home to open an eight-game home-stand to be played over seven days beginning on Friday night with the first of a three-game set with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Clinton will throw right-hander Tommy Romero (2-2, 2.81) while the Kernels will counter with righty Blayne Enlow (0-1, 5.65). 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.
Special offers on tickets to the homestand opener are available through Unity Christian and the Fulton Elementary PTA.
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