LumberKings complete sweep with 6-2 win

BURLINGTON, IA (August 30, 2019) - Jake Walters tossed seven no-hit innings and the Clinton LumberKings completed a three-game series sweep with a 6-3 win over the Burlington Bees on Friday night at Community Field. The LumberKings (43-24, 76-60) sweep shrinks their magic number to clinch the Western Division to three.  
Clinton, as they have done all series long, started the scoring early. They scored the game's first runs in the top of the third against Bees (27-40, 66-71) starter Robinson Pina. In a theme that would last the rest of the night, the LumberKings benefited from Burlington errors. Two walks and three errors brought home the first run of the inning before Will Banfield drove home the final run of the inning with an RBI single to right center field.
The runs were enough to hang Pina (5-8) with the loss. Over his four innings of work he allowed two runs on four hits while walking four and striking out seven. Again, LumberKings hitters struggled with the strikeout as Bees pitching struck out 17 by the end of the night.
The lead was extended to its widest margin in the top of the eighth with Clinton's second two-run rally of the night. Without the benefit of a hit, Peyton Burdick and Kameron Misner scored after drawing leadoff walks - scoring on a combination stolen base, flyout, and groundout.
Walters (7-4) earned the win for Clinton with his strongest start of the year. He turned in seven no-hit shutout innings of work while walking one and striking out nine.
Burlington plated all of their runs in the bottom of the eighth. Francisco opened the frame with a double to left - the first Bees hit of the night - and scored four batters later on a two-run single by Johan Sala. Livan Soto then added an RBI ground out to pull Burlington to within one run.
In the top of the ninth, Clinton added a pair of insurance runs. They drew two walks in the inning to bring their total to nine - with five of the LumberKings six runs scored on batters who reached via the walk. Jose Devers brought home the first run of the rally with an RBI double to left and scored on a wild pitch and throwing error on a failed pick off attempt.
Zach Wolf worked the final 1.2 innings for Clinton and was awarded his team leading 15^th save of the year.
The LumberKings will now return home for the final three-games of the regular season meeting the Peoria Chiefs on Saturday night. Clinton will throw righty Josh Roberson (3-4, 2.47) while Peoria will tap righty Mike Brettell (5-9, 5.15). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CDT). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas with the pregame show on 6:15 p.m. with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio app.
The final homestand of the regular season opens with a promotion packed night at the ballpark. Arrive early for the first of two giveaways during the homestand. Gates open at 5 pm with the first 500 fans through the gates receiving a LumberKings t-shirt courtesy of 4-Imprint!
After the game, head to the Dr. Pepper Picnic Garden for a postgame concert to close out the "Stay Late Saturday Concert Series." Following the final out, The Stockwell's take the stage for more Saturday night fun!
BUY YOUR 2019 LUMBERKINGS PLAYOFF SHIRT HERE!
Playoff tickets will go on sale starting on Saturday with dates and times still pending.


 
About the LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 64th season in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. They play their home games at NelsonCorp Field a park that has been home for the Clinton franchise since 1937. Since the club's inception, 285 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