LumberKings draw nine walks in 9-3 romp

CLINTON, IA (May 19, 2017) - After falling behind in the top of the first inning, the Clinton LumberKings rallied to drop the Burlington Bees 9-3 on Friday night at Ashford University Field. The LumberKings (16-22) drew a season-high nine walks, with the first seven men reaching on the free base scoring.
Brandon Miller took the ball for Clinton and found himself in trouble right away. The Bees (12-25) sent eight men to the plate to score three runs in the top of the first inning. The Burlington rally was made possible by two LumberKings errors, the first charged to shortstop Luis Rengifo and the second committed by Miller himself (5-2). The big hit in the inning came from Brennon Morgan who doubled to left to drive home two and cap the rally.
In a game where both teams combined to issue 14 walks, five by LumberKings pitching and nine by the Bees, the mistakes were made worse by nine errors committed by both teams. The Bees kicked the ball around for five errors and the LumberKings committed four defensive miscues.
The LumberKings wasted no time in answering the Bees three-run top of the first inning rally. Clinton sent eight men to the plate in the inning to score four times and take the lead for good. Sam Pastone, who stared for Burlington, was unable to get out of the first inning and was chased from the game following a Dimas Ojeda two run double to right. Pastrone (1-4) lasted just 2/3 of an inning in the shortest start of the year turned in against the LumberKings.
In the bottom of the second, Clinton pilled on, scoring four more times to take an 8-3 lead. The inning began with three straight walks issued to Clinton batters, loading the bases with nobody out. Two more Burlington errors added to the big inning which was capped by a Nick Thurman RBI single to center.
The LumberKings added their ninth and final run of the night in the bottom of the fifth inning. Anthony Jimenez leadoff with a walk and came around to score on an Ojeda RBI single to center. Ojeda went 3-for-4 at the plate for Clinton including three RBI and a double.
Miller did not allow another Burlington run to scoring following the three run Bees first inning. Only one batter, Roberto Baldoquinn, collected a hit outside of the first inning, singling in the top of the fourth inning.
Kyle Wilcox and Marvin Gorgas combined to shutout the Bees over the final four innings. Gorgas struck out the side in the eighth and then worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to preserve the LumberKings 9-3 win.
The LumberKings have now won five of their last seven games.
Game three of the four-game series with the Burlington Bees will be played on Saturday night. Left-handed pitcher Tim Viehoff (1-4, 4.68) will take the ball for Clinton and face Burlington's right-handed pitcher Travis Herrin (0-3, 3.94). 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. Miss Clinton County will be on hand for Miss Clinton County princess night to take photos and declare winners during the in-game prom0tions.
 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