Four-run third sinks LumberKings

CLINTON, IA (August 5, 2017) - One run was all the Clinton LumberKings could muster in a 5-1 loss to the Peoria Chiefs on Saturday night at Ashford University Field. Danny Garcia allowed the big inning of the game, a four-run top of the third for the Chiefs (24-18, 54-57) that the LumberKings could not come back from.
Garcia (6-10) started for the LumberKings (17-25, 48-61) but was hit hard in a four-inning outing in which he was hung with the loss, his fourth consecutive.
The Chiefs scored the first run of the game with a Brian O'Keefe RBI double and would score in just one other inning, the four-run third. In the top of the third, Peoria sent nine men to plate. Matt Fielder delivered the biggest blow for Peoria with a two-run single to center that capped the scoring and proved to be the difference in the game.
Clinton failed to muster much offense against Chiefs starter Evan Kruczynski. The left-hander allowed the LumberKings only run of the game in the bottom of the fifth but limited the damage to a single run. The LumberKings loaded the bases and scored Jhombeyker Morales from third on a Bryson Brigman RBI ground out.
The run would be the only one Kruczynski (2-2) would allow in a six-inning outing in which he picked up his second win of the season.
Chiefs relievers Bryan Dobzanski and LeLand Tilley combined to shutout the LumberKings over the final three frames.
Following the early offense from the Chiefs the LumberKings received strong bullpen outings from Tim Viehoff and Wyatt Mills. Viehoff worked four shutout innings for Clinton and allowed just one base runner to reach against him. Mills then followed with a 1-2-3 top of the ninth to stretch his scoreless inning streak with the LumberKings to 5.2 innings.
The LumberKings play game two of their four-game series with the Peoria Chiefs on Sunday night. Right-handed pitcher Ljay Newsome (5-8, 4.91) will take the ball for Clinton and face Peoria right-handed pitcher Frederis Parra (3-3, 2.88). Game time is slated for 2:00 PM (C.D.T.) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI beginning at 1:45 PM, Erik Oas will be on the call. The game features the final baseball card strip giveaway of the season presented by Clinton National Bank and Medicom. Special ticket offers to Sunday's game are available for residents of Fulton and Morrison.
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, 271 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