LumberKings drop pitcher's duel 2-1

Peoria, IL (August 12, 2018) - Ray Kerr threw seven strong innings and Dimas Ojeda homered for the seventh time this season but the Clinton LumberKings fell to the Peoria Chiefs 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at Dozer Park. Clinton (23-25, 62-57) managed just four hits in the game and were bested by an eighth inning run by the Chiefs (29-18, 68-49).
Kerr started for Clinton and pitched effectively around trouble over his seven innings of work. Peoria collected at least one hit against Kerr in each of his innings of work but the lefty worked around most of the trouble to hold the Chiefs to just one run.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Peoria broke a scoreless tie with a solo home run from Luken Baker to left field that put the Chiefs on top, briefly, 1-0. The home run was his second of the season.
The LumberKings answered the home run with one of their own in the top of the fifth. Dimas Ojeda opened the inning with his first home run since June 6^th against the Burlington Bees and seventh of the season.
The game remained tied until the bottom for the eighth when Clinton turned the ball over to the bullpen and reliever Adonis De La Cruz. Rayder Ascanio led the inning off with a single past the bag at third and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by JR Davis. Nolan Gorman then singled through the right side of the infield on an 0-2 pitch from De La Cruz (3-3). The hit was Gorman's third of the game and proved to be the decisive blow in a game dominated by pitching.
Robbie Gordan (1-0) earned his first win of the season with the Chiefs for turning in a shutout inning of relief in the top of the eighth.
Kodi Whitley then set the LumberKings down 1-2-3 in the top of the ninth to earn his eighth save of the season.
The LumberKings will meet the Peoria Chiefs for the third game of their four-game series on Monday night. Clinton will throw right-hander Scott Boches (2-4, 3.28) while the Chiefs will tap lefty Jake Dahlberg (1-1, 3.75). First pitch is slated for 7:00 PM. Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio ap at 6:45 PM with the pregame show.
About the LumberKings 
 
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 63rd season in the league and their 10th as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 280 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. Advertising and tickets for the 2018 season are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com