Dominguez, Kings Save Best for Last

Clinton, IA - A tough afternoon turned into a happy pile-up on the infield grass for Carlos Dominguez as his walk-off single completed a thrilling ninth inning comeback in Clinton's 2-1 win over the Lansing Lugnuts.p>

After Jonathan Greene's bloop single to center tied it, Dominguez came through with a two-out line drive to center, plating Mitch Moreland from second and sending the Dare Day crowd and the LumberKings' bench into a frenzy.

The day didn't start so promising against left-hander Nate Starner of the Lugnuts. Starner picked up where right-hander Kyle Ginley left off the previous night, keeping Clinton's bats cold. He blanked the Kings on four hits over 7.0 inings, walking just one while striking out seven.

It was against Lansing right-hander Alan Farina that the offense finally awoke. Down 1-0 and with one out, Cristian Santana fouled off several two-strike pitches and worked a walk. Moreland then roped a single into center, putting a pair of runners on base.

That was all for Farina (L, 1-1) as right-hander Ross Buckwalter came on. Greene, who had already singled and doubled earlier for his second multi-hit game, lifted a soft blooper that dropped just out of the reach of a sliding Darin Mastroianni in center. Santana scored from second to knot the game at 1-1.

After Miguel Alfonzo flied out to right, it was left up to Dominguez. He wasted no time, lining Buckwalter's second offering into right-center, scoring Moreland ahead of a late throw to the plate. Dominguez flipped off his helmet as his teammates mobbed him on the field just up the first base line.

Clinton pitching was sharp all afternoon, as starter Ryan Tatusko gave up just a run on two hits over a season-high 5.0 innings. Back-to-back doubles by Raul Barron and Kevin Ahrens accounted for Lansing's only run, coming in the third. Right-hander Daniel Sattler struck out four over 2.0 innings, and right-hander Adalberto Flores (W, 2-0) struck out one over the final 2.0 innings to earn the victory.

Greene led all hitters, going 3-for-4 with his first double and seventh RBI. Moreland also chipped in a multi-hit day, finishing 2-for-4. Ian Gac, who a night prior saw his 12-game hitting streak come to an end, made it a second straight hitless day, going 0-for-4.

The win, coupled with Kane County's loss to Dayton puts the LumberKings (15-5) in a two-way tie for first place in the West. Clinton will open up a three-game series with the Great Lakes Loons (11-11) on Monday night, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM.

Listen to the game on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton or live on the web at www.lumberkings.com.