Garcia Dazzles, Offense thrills in 7-1 LKings win

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (May 23, 2017) - Rayder Ascanio homered on the seventh pitch of the game and the Clinton LumberKings coasted to a 7-1 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field. Danny Garcia rewarded the LumberKings (17-25) offense with six strong innings of work.
For the first time this season, the LumberKing homered to lead-off a game. Ascanio lifted a ball to left with just enough distance to clear the wall for an early LumberKings lead.
Clinton did not relinquish the lead and continued to add on against Kernels starter Domenick Carlini. In the top of the third, the LumberKIngs scored twice on RBI hits from Bryson Brugman and Joe Rizzo.
In the following inning, Clinton again scored twice off of Carlini (2-3). Ascanio drove home the first run of the inning with his second double of the night and scored when Brigman tripled down the third base line.
Ascanio and Brigman each had three hits on the night. Ascanio going 3-for-5 with a home run, three runs scored, two doubles, and two RBI. Brigman came within a home run of the cycle going 3-for-5 with a triple, double, a run scored, and two RBI.
The final LumberKings rally came in the top of the fifth inning. One out singles from Nick Zammarelli III and Kristian Brito set the table for Gareth Morgan's two run double to left center field.
The Kernels were held to a single run. Jaylin Davis added to his Midwest league leading home run total with a solo home run to left off Garcia (3-4) in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The start was Garcia's third quality start of the year and earned him his first win away from home this season.
Kyle Wilcox and Steven Moyers combined to shutout the Kernels in the final three innings. Wilcox matched a season-high for LumberKings relievers with five strikeouts in his two innings of work. Moyers added three strikeouts to bring Clinton's pitching total to 12 punch outs for the night.
The LumberKings will play game three of their four-game series with the first-place Cedar Rapids Kernels. Right-handed pitcher Brandon Miller (5-2, 4.05) will take the ball for Clinton and face Cedar Rapids's Right-handed pitcher Clark Beeker (5-2, 2.76). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 11:50 PM (CDT) on 100.3 FM WCCI Erik Oas is on the call.  
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