Lugs' Iowa trip ends in walk-off defeat

CLINTON, IA - Chavez Young went 4-for-5 and Ryan Gold drove in three runs, but the Clinton LumberKings (13-11, 52-42) completed a three-game sweep with a 10-inning 9-8 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (13-12, 56-39) on Monday afternoon at Ashford University Field.

The Lugnuts finished 2-4 on their six-game road trip to Burlington and Clinton.

After the Nuts stranded runners at second and third in the top of the tenth against Collin Kober (Win, 5-0), the LumberKings' Eugene Helder opened the home half with a flyout to right against reliever Orlando Pascual (Loss, 0-2), moving placed runner Ryan Costello to third base. The Lugnuts elected to intentionally walk Jack Larsen and Keegan McGovern to load the bases. Pascual then walked Johnny Adams on a 3-2 pitch to force in the game-winning run.

Larsen, Ariel Sandoval and Juan Camacho homered in the first four innings off Lugnuts starter Matt Gunter , helping the Kings build a 5-1 lead.

Clinton starter Scott Boches exited the game after five innings, and the Lugnuts reacted with gusto, scoring five runs in the sixth inning against former Michigan Wolverine Oliver Jaskie to jump ahead, 6-5.

Gold added a two-run single in the seventh inning against Matt Clancy, increasing the Lugnuts' lead to 8-5.

In the bottom of the seventh, Sandoval flexed his muscles again, driving a three-run homer to left off Dany Jimenez to tie the game.

Jimenez remained unbowed, setting down nine of the next ten batters with four strikeouts to keep the Lugnuts in the game until the tenth.

In defeat, right fielder Young collected three singles and a double, scoring three runs. It was his first four-hit game since August 17, 2016, in the Gulf Coast League.

The Lugnuts now return to Cooley Law School Stadium on a Winning Wednesday, July 18th, opening a six-game homestand with the Peoria Chiefs and the Cedar Rapids Kernels. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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