Clinton thumped in series opener

Cedar Rapids, IA (May 25, 2018) - Ryan Costello went deep twice for the Clinton LumberKings in a 9-2 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Friday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The loss marked the seventh straight game in which the LumberKings (24-21) were outhit, 13-5, by their opponents.
Clinton started the scoring in the top of the second inning with the first of two Costello home runs. The LumberKings first basemen took Kernels (22-21) starter Bryan Sammons out to left center field for his sixth long fly of the season.
Sammons (1-3) then rebounded to hold the LumberKings scoreless over his final four innings of work. The lefty picked up his first win of the year with a six inning outing in which he allowed just three hits while walking none and striking out eight.
The Kernels quickly tied the game in the bottom of the second on an RBI triple by Ben Rortvedt.
Oliver Jaskie started for Clinton and allowed at least one run to score in each of his final four innings of work. He allowed two runs in the third to put Cedar Rapids in front, and then surrendered three runs in the fourth before allowing a Jose Miranda solo home run in the fifth inning to make it 9-1 Cedar Rapids.
Jaskie (1-5) took the loss for a 4.1 inning outing in which he allowed seven runs, all earned, on a season high 10 hits while walking two and striking out five.
Costello capped the scoring with his second home run of the night in the top of the seventh. The long fly gives him seven on the year, a team high, and marks the second time this season a LumberKing has had a multi-home run game.
The LumberKings will meet the Cedar Rapids Kernels for games two and three of the six-game series on Saturday night. Clinton will throw right-hander Ryne Inman (1-2, 4.10) and lefty Orlando Razo (0-0, 0.00) while the Kernels will counter with righty Brusdar Graterol (2-0, 0.93) in game one with game two's starter yet to be determined.
Fans looking to listen to the call of the twin billing can hear Erik Oas at 5:05 PM with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI to being at 4:50 PM.
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, 280 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