Coffman Curbs Kernels' Bats

LumberKings' hurler shuts out Cedar Rapids over 6 innings

By Dave Lezotte

May 3, 2007

Clinton, IA - Broc Coffman threw six shutout innings and Jose Vallejo scored two runs and plated another as the Clinton LumberKings swept their home end of the series with Cedar Rapids, winning 5-1 Thursday night at Alliant Energy Field.

Coffman (W, 2-0) ended a string of three consecutive no-decisions, limiting the Kernels to just five hits over six frames. He only struck out one in the game, but used the defense-especially Vallejo-to his advantage. Twice, the second-baseman made tremendous plays to save runs and preserve Coffman's win.

With Kernels' second baseman Ryan Mount standing on at second base with two outs, Vallejo climbed the ladder on a liner by Wilberto Ortiz that looked destined for right-center field. Instead, Vallejo nabbed the baseball high over his head to end the inning. The very next inning, the second-baseman started a double-play with a runner on at third, saving yet another run.

Vallejo handled the bat pretty well, too. He reached on a liner to center in the first and scored on Chad Tracy's RBI single against Kernels' starter Sean O'Sullivan. In the fifth inning, Vallejo drove in Marcus Lemon with another single to center, and after stealing his seventh base of the year, scored on another single by Tracy.

The LumberKings got another solid performance from the bullpen as Scott Rice worked a scoreless inning for a second-consecutive night. Jon Hollis worked the final two innings, giving up an unearned run on two hits.

O'Sullivan (L, 1-3) was roughed up by the L-Kings to the tune of five runs, four earned on nine hits over six innings. He walked three while striking out six.

Vallejo, Tracy, Lemon and Manny Pina all had two-hit nights in the win. John Whittleman saw his four-game multi-hit streak come to an end, going 0-for-3.

The first-place LumberKings (15-10) now travel to Lansing to face one of the hottest teams in the East-the Lansing Lugnuts (15-8). Game one of the series begins at 6:05 PM. Listen to the game on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton or live on the web at www.lumberkings.com.