Kernels blank LumberKings in 3-0 loss

CLINTON, IA (July 2, 2017) - For just the second time this season the Clinton LumberKings were shutout at home, falling to the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-0 on Sunday afternoon at Ashford University Field. Clinton (3-8, 34-44) tallied just three hits in a quiet day at the plate.
Nick Wells was scheduled to start for Clinton but was scratched before the game and was replaced by Steven Moyers, who made his first start of the season.
Moyers (0-3) pitched well but allowed runs in his first three innings of work. After retiring the first two batters of the game in the top of the first Moyers then gave up back-to-back two out hits. Lewin Diaz singled to left center to drive home Travis Blankenhorn for the game's first run.
Cedar Rapids (5-6, 44-37) added to their lead with a Lean Marrero RBI double in the second and an Aaron Whitefield solo home run in the third. Whitefield's long fly was his ninth of the season and capped the scoring for both teams.
For just the fifth time this season, and second time at home, Clinton failed to score a run. Griffin Jax made his season debut with Cedar Rapids and shutout the LumberKings over his seven innings of work. The righty allowed all three of the LumberKings hits and walked one while striking out four. For his work, Jax (1-0) earned the win and was followed by a bullpen that preserved the Kernels shutout.
Logan Lombana replaced Jax with a 1-2-3 eight inning and Hector Lujan followed with a perfect ninth inning to record his seventh save of the season.
The LumberKings bullpen was equally impressive. Tim Viehoff turned in his longest bullpen outing of the year, 4.1 and took the ball the rest of the way for Clinton. He did not allow a run in his time out and surrendered just two hits while walking one and striking out three.
The LumberKings will continue the 7-game homestand with series finale against the Kernels on Monday night. Left-handed pitcher Danny Garcia (5-6, 6.20) will take the ball for Clinton and face Cedar Rapids right-handed pitcher Anthony Marzi (0-0, 0.00). 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.
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