L-Kings Swat Bees with Big Innings

Clinton, IA - It was hard to single out a top performer Tuesday night as the Clinton LumberKings utilized sharp pitching and smacked the baseball all over the yard in a 9-2 win over the Burlington Bees at Alliant Energy Field. The LumberKings broke the game wide open in the fifth with five runs and added three more runs in the eighth to win for the eighth time in nine games.

With the LumberKings trailing 1-0 in the fifth, the offense came to life against Bees starter Jason Godin. Grant Gerrard walked on four pitches to start the inning, and Wally Backman singled his way aboard with a liner to right. Godin struck out Marcus Lemon, but then exited for right-hander Josh Cribb. Craig Gentry greeted him rudely, singling to load the bases.

Jose Vallejo started the scoring, drawing a walk to bring Gerrard home. Chad Tracy then continued a red-hot stretch, doubling just inside the third-base line, scoring Backman and Gentry. A wild pitch by Cribb sent Vallejo to the plate, and K.C. Herren deposited a triple into the left-center gap to score Tracy.

Leading 5-1 after five frames, Clinton would tack a run on in the sixth as Backman crushed a Cribb offering into the Lumber Lounge. The L-Kings hung three more runs in the eighth on submariner righty Chris Hayes. Gentry recorded his third hit, an infield single to Bees shortstop Chris McConnell, and Vallejo tripled into the right-field corner to bring him home. Tracy singled home his third RBI of the game, and Mauro Gomez capped the inning with a towering sac-fly to center, scoring John Whittleman.

All told, the LumberKings pounded out 12 hits, including five extra-base hits. Gentry paved the way with a 3-for-4, two stolen-base night atop the order. Tracy, Herren, Gerrard and Backman all had two hits, and Vallejo added two runs scored and two RBI's.

Jeremiah Haar started for Clinton on short notice after scheduled starter Broc Coffman came down with a stomach virus. Haar did not factor in the decision, giving up a run on five hits over four frames. Instead, it was lefty Tim Gudex getting the win. Gudex pitched 3.2 innings, yielding a run on three hits while striking out a season-high seven.

John Slusarz worked a scoreless inning and a third to preserve the win for the LumberKings. Godin (L, 0-1) took the loss for Burlington, giving up a pair of runs on just one hit over 4.1 innings.

The LumberKings (19-11) and Bees (12-18) wrap up the Clinton end of the home and home series tomorrow night at 6:00 PM. Listen to the game on AM 1340 KROS in Clinton or live on the web at www.lumberkings.com.