TinCaps Hand Pribanic First Loss

Clinton, IA - It was only a matter of time, but the first member of the "big three" of the Clinton LumberKings' rotation finally lost as right-hander Aaron Pribanic allowed five runs, four earned over 5.2 innings in a 6-3 loss to the Fort Wayne TinCaps Wednesday night at Alliant Energy Field.

The TinCaps scored three runs in the first against Pribanic (L, 2-1). Blake Tekotte lead off the game with a single to left, stole second and third and scored on a throwing error by catcher Juan Fuentes. Adam Zornes reached via catcher's interference and came home on a double by Allan Dykstra, and Dykstra crossed the plate on a flare single into center from James Darnell.

Clinton cut into the lead in the third as Nate Tenbrink worked a leadoff walk and scored on Fuentes's single into right-center.

Fort Wayne got that run back and more, scoring twice against Pribanic. Dykstra singled and moved to third on a Darnell double. A wild pitch and passed ball in succession plated both baserunners, putting the TinCaps ahead, 5-1.

The Kings scored on a drag bunt by Maximo Mendez in the fifth inning and again on an RBI single by Ogui Diaz in the seventh, but could not find a breakout inning against four TinCaps pitchers.

Left-hander Rob Musgrave (W, 1-1) pitched 5.0 innings for Fort Wayne, allowing two runs on five hits. Right-hander Eric Gonzalez surrendered a run on three hits over 2.0 innings, but lefty Zach Herr and closer Brad Brach (S, 6) kept the Kings off the board for the final two innings.

Serrano lead the Clinton attack with a 2-for-3 night, including his first triple and two runs scored. Mendez went 2-for-4 with an RBI.

Darnell finished 3-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI for Fort Wayne, while Dykstra went 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI.

The LumberKings (10-8) and TinCaps (15-4) continue the series tomorrow night, first pitch at Alliant Energy Field is set for 6:30 PM. Listen to the game on AM 1390 KCLN in Clinton or live on the web at www.kcln.com.