Costello and Larsen homer in Clinton 4-1 win

Clinton, IA (July 14, 2018) - Home runs by Ryan Costello and Jack Larsen were the difference on Saturday night at Ashford University Field as the Clinton LumberKings dropped the Lansing Lugnuts 4-1. LumberKings (11-11, 50-42) pitching made the pair of home runs stand up as they combined to strikeout 14 Lugnuts (13-10, 56-37) batters and limit them to just two hits.
LumberKings starter Clay Chandler threw the ball for Clinton over his six innings of work, striking out a professional career high nine batters. For his time, Chandler was given a no decision. He walked none and allowed both of the Lugnuts hits, each belonging to Noberto Obeso.
Obeso broke a scoreless tie in the top of the third inning with a line drive home run into the Lumber Lounge in right for his second big fly of the year.
The Lugnuts looked as though they'd make the one run stand up as Lansing starter Graham Spraker turned in six shutout innings. The LumberKings were no-hit through the first five innings and tallied just an infield single in the bottom of the sixth against Spraker.
In the bottom of the seventh, the Clinton offense awoke against Lugnuts reliever Brody Rodning. Ariel Sandoval led the inning off with a single and was followed four pitches later by a Ryan Costello two-run home to right that put Clinton in front. The home run was Costello's Midwest League leading 16^th of the season.
Jack Larsen then added on following a Eugene Helder double with his 11^th home run of the year. The second two-run home run of the inning for the LumberKings, landed where all three of the home runs in the game had landed, in the Lumber Lounge in right.
Clinton then held the lead with three no-hit innings of relief turned in by Marvin Gorgas and Collin Kober.
Gorgas (4-2) earned the win with two innings of work in which he allowed only one Lugnut to reach against him.
Kober then worked the ninth and earned his sixth win of the season after working around a leadoff walk and struck out Jesus Navarro looking to end the game.
The LumberKings will meet the Lansing Lugnuts for game two of the three-game series on Sunday afternoon. Clinton will throw left-hander Ray Kerr (3-9, 4.54) while the Lugnuts will counter with righty Kyle Weatherly (2-0, 2.84) First pitch for game one is slated for 2:00 PM. Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tune in radio ap at 1:45 PM with the pregame show.
Arrive early for the sixth installment of the baseball card strip giveaway presented by Clinton National Bank and Mediacom. Sunday will also be "Family Funday Sunday" with free balloon artists, face painting and postgame kids run the bases courtesy of the Children's Discovery Center.
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