LKings Split Doubleheader with Whitecaps

CLINTON, IA (May 1, 2019) - Big innings were the theme in both games of a doubleheader played between the West Michigan Whitecaps and Clinton LumberKings on Wednesday afternoon. Clinton (13-11) fell 7-9 in game one before storming back for a 13-2 win in game two over the Whitecaps (11-13).
GAME ONE
The first game of the day was decided in its opening inning. LumberKings starter George Soriano was hit hard in the first and failed to make it out of the inning. West Michigan sent 12 men to the plate to score nine times and record the largest rally against Clinton pitching this season. Avery Tuck lined a three-run home run to right as the ninth man up in the inning and was followed by a home run from Reece Hampton that capped the scoring.
Soriano (0-2) was given the loss for his 0.1 out -the shortest start of the year by a LumberKings starter - allowing nine runs, eight earned, on six hits while walking one and striking out none.
Clinton then chipped away throughout the rest of the game. Whitecaps starter Gio Arriera (2-1) earned the win for his five innings of work but allowed five runs, four earned, on seven hits while walking one and striking out three.
In the bottom of the fourth, Clinton broke out for four runs when they batted around for their first rally of the game. Sean Reynolds had the big hit with a two-run home to left that was his third of the year.
The LumberKings added one more run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth - on a Jerar Encarnacion single to center - but could not overcome West Michigan's first inning outburst.
Angel Reyes earned the save for the Whitecaps for a 1.1 innings of relief in which he did not allow a run or hit while walking two and striking out three.  

GAME TWO
The LumberKings led throughout in game two. Sean Reynolds slugged his second home run of the day in the first inning and Clinton held the lead and added on the rest of the way. Reynolds three-run home in the first inning, off White Caps starter Xavier Javier, was estimated to have traveled 456 feet.
Javier (0-2) was given the loss for his time out which was an abbreviated 1.2 inning outing. He allowed seven runs on just four hits while walking three and striking out two.  
Twice during the game, Clinton rallied for four runs in an inning - first doing so in the second. They sent nine men to the plate in the inning to pull away with a 7-2 lead.
Two innings later, the LumberKings added their second four run inning of the game when they again sent nine men to the plate. J.D. Osborne singled home the first run and was then followed by three straight RBI hits. Thomas Jones added on with a two-run single, Marcos Rivera chased home another run with an RBI double, and Ricardo Cespedes capped the rally with an RBI single to right center.
Nathan Alexander benefited from the LumberKings highest scoring game of the season to earn the win. Alexander (1-0) allowed only two men to reach against him over his two innings of work on his way to striking out three batters.
 
The LumberKings will meet the West Michigan Whitecaps for the series finale on Thursday night. Clinton will throw right-handed pitcher Humberto Mejia (1-0, 3.48) while the Whitecaps will go with lefty Kacey Murphy (0-1, 4.38). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call at 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio ap at 6:15 p.m. with the pregame show.
All Thursdays in Clinton are "Thirsty Thursdays" with $2 select beers sold throughout the ballpark all game long for fans 21 years and older.
 
About the LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are preparing for their 64^thseason in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. Since the club's inception in 1937, 281 former Clinton players have gone on to reach the Major Leagues. Advertising and tickets for the 2019 season are available by calling (563)242-0727 or by visiting LumberKings.com