Garcia fans 11 in LumberKings 8-3 win

CLINTON, IA (May 12, 2017) - Danny Garcia struck out a new professional career-high, 11, and Clinton LumberKings pitching combined to strikeout 15 in an 8-3 win over the Great Lakes Loons on Friday night at Ashford University Field. The LumberKings (12-20) backed their strong pitching with early offense.
Clinton wasted no time in giving Garcia (2-3) early run support. In the bottom of the first inning, the LumberKings rallied with two out to score three runs off Loons (16-19) starter A.J. Alexy. Joe Rizzo began the rally with a walk and was followed by a Anthony Jimenez hit-but-pitch that put runners at first and second. Nick Zammarelli III singled to center to drive home the first run of the inning and Nick Thurman floated a double down the line in left to cap the rally.
Alexy (0-2), set down the LumberKings 1-2-3 in the second inning but found himself in trouble again in the bottom of the third. The LumberKings broke out for their biggest rally of the night, batting around, to score five times. Again, the LumberKings scored all their runs with two-out in the inning. Alexy was pulled after Jimenez and Zammarelli reached base and the Loons turned to Gregorio Sequera who could not stop the LumberKings rally. With the bases loaded, Gareth Morgan had the big hit of the inning with a three-RBI double to right center field. A Johmbeyker Morales single to left drove home the fifth and final run of the inning.
Leading 8-0, Danny Garcia turned in his most dominate start of the season. The lefty did not allow a hit until one out into the fourth inning and worked seven innings, a new season-high by LumberKings pitching. It was not until Garcia went out for the eighth that the Loons finally began to string hits together.
In top of the eighth inning, the Loons leadoff with back-to-back hits which was followed by a Gage Green walk. Garcia was removed following the walk and was replaced by Kody Kerski. Kerski, a 2015 LumberKing, made his 2017 season debut with Clinton and after allowing his three inherited runners to score settled down to record the next three outs, two by way of the strikeout.
Marvin Gorgas finished the LumberKings pitching gem with a shutout inning of relief in the ninth. Gorgas added two more strikeouts to the total, bringing the LumberKings strikeout total to 15 to tie a season-high for punch outs.
The LumberKings will wrap up their five-game homestand with the series finale against the Great Lakes Loons on Saturday night. Right-handed pitcher Brandon Miller (3-2, 4.25) will take the ball for Clinton and face Great Lake's right-handed pitcher Willian Soto (4-0, 2.18). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 6:15 PM (CDT) on 100.3 FM WCCI Erik Oas is on the call. Arrive early on Saturday as we honor mom's with a special Don's Jewelry gift card giveaway.
 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