Kings Fall to Kernels On Play at the Plate

Clinton, IA - The Clinton LumberKings nearly tied the game on a two-out single into right-center by Matt Browning, but Tim Morris was thrown out at the plate as he attempted to score all the way from first, giving the Cedar Rapids Kernels a stunning 2-1 win on Friday night at Alliant Energy Field.

Kernels' closer Daniel Tillman (S, 12) retired Kalian Sams and Anthony Phillips to open the frame, but second-baseman Rolando Gomez misplayed a sharp grounder from John Hicks for an error to keep the inning going. Morris was called upon to pinch run for Hicks, and he took off from first on a 3-2 pitch as Browning guided a single into right-center. Manager Eddie Menchaca waved Morris around third as center-fielder Travis Witherspoon's throw reached first-baseman Ricky Alvarez. Alvarez threw on to catcher Marcus Nidiffer who applied the tag, ending the game.

Nearly the goat on the error, Gomez ended up the hero as his double to center scored Witherspoon for the game-winning run in the top of the eighth. That double came after right-hander Matt Bischoff (L, 3-3) hit Witherspoon in the elbow with a pitch and committed a wild pitch to put him in scoring position.

The LumberKings fell behind 1-0 in the game's first at-bat as Witherspoon led off the game with a solo home run - his second leadoff blast in the last two games - over the Coors Light Picnic Pavilion in left. That ended up being the only run allowed over 7.0 innings by right-hander Stephen Kohlscheen. The defending Midwest League Pitcher of the Week scattered six hits, walked one and struck out seven for his second-straight quality start in what ended up as a no-decision.

The Clinton offense missed many an opportunity to score against Kernels' right-hander P.J. Jang. A Hicks single and two walks loaded the bases for Kevin Rivers with two outs in the third inning, but Rivers flied out to Witherspoon in deep center to end the threat. An inning later, Stefen Romero and Mickey Wiswall reached on back-to-back singles but were ultimately left stranded at second and third as Hicks popped out to Gomez at second.

Jang worked 5.2 scoreless, four hit innings, leaving with Rivers at third base in the sixth. Right-hander Donn Roach (H, 5) ended the threat, striking out Kalian Sams looking on a slider.

The Kings finally plated the tying run against left-hander Dakota Robinson in the seventh as Hicks and Browning singled and Ramirez lifted a sacrifice fly to deep right. Julio Morban then stepped in, but Browning was picked off and caught in a rundown between first and second base.

Morban singled to start the eighth instead, but was again stranded as Robinson (W, 9-2) retired the next three hitters in order.

Wiswall, Hicks and Browning all went 2-for-4 in the loss for the LumberKings. Witherspoon went 2-for-3 with two runs scored, his 12th home run and an RBI for the Kernels.

The LumberKings (24-23) head to the road for a three-game set at Peoria (19-27) starting tomorrow night, first pitch from O'Brien Field scheduled for 6:30 PM. Left-hander Anthony Fernandez (4-3, 3.01) starts for Clinton against Chiefs' left-hander Frank Del Valle (2-2, 4.02). Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at 1390kcln.com.