First inning plagues LumberKings, again

CLINTON, IA (May 20, 2017) - Another first inning rally by the Burlington Bees was enough to drop the Clinton LumberKings 6-3 on Saturday night at Ashford University Field. The Bees (13-25) rallied for three runs in the first inning bringing their total to 11 runs in the opening frame through the first three games of the series.
Tm Viehoff made his eighth start of the season for the LumberKings (16-23) and lasted just four innings. The Bees raced out of the gates in the top of the first. Jahmai Jones singled to open up the inning and was followed by a Brennon Lund line drive home run to right for the first runs of the game.
Lund drove home three runs for Burlington during on the night going 2-for-4 at the plate with a walk. His home run was his first of the season.
The Bees rally in the first inning was capped by a Brennon Morgan RBI single to right that scored Jordan Zimmerman for the third and final run of the top of the first inning.
Clinton answered the Bees with a run in the bottom of the inning. Bryson Brigman floated a single down the right field line for the LumberKings first hit of the night and was driven home two batters later on an Anthony Jimenez double. Jimenez continued to stay hot for Clinton going 2-for-4 at the plate with two doubles, an RBI, a run scored, and two stolen bases.
Burlington did not sit on their early lead. The Bees added a single run in the top of the second inning and added two more runs in the top of the fourth. Viehoff (1-5) was charged with all six of the Bees runs and hung with his team-high fifth loss of the season.
Clinton could not hit Bees starter Travis Herrin for the big inning they needed. In his five innings of work, Herrin (1-3) allowed two runs, one earned, on three hits while walking one and striking out seven.
The LumberKings, after scoring a run in the bottom of the fourth, added one more run in the in the sixth on an RBI single from Nick Thurman. 6-3 was the closest the LumberKings would get as the Bees bullpen combined to limit Clinton to one run over the final four innings.
Greg Beltan earned his first save of the year for Burlington with two innings of work while striking out three.
The LumberKings bullpen was impressive in their six innings of relief work. Jack Anderson set a new professional career-high for strikeouts with six over his three innings. Michael Koval followed Anderson with two shutout innings.
The series and homestand concludes with the fourth game against the Burlington Bees on Sunday afternoon. Left-handed pitcher Nick Wells (1-3, 6.49) will take the ball for Clinton and face Burlington's right-handed pitcher Joe Gatto (2-3, 4.28). First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 1:45 PM (CDT) on 100.3 FM WCCI Erik Oas is on the call. Arrive early for the first baseball card strip giveaway of the year presented by Clinton National Bank and Mediacom. Sunday will also be Family Funday presented by Children's Discovery Center, kids can stay after the game to run the bases and can take part in face-painting and balloon artists during the game.
 About the LumberKings
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are playing their 62nd season in the league and their ninth as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 270 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. Tickets to all 70 home games are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com