LumberKings fail to overcome 5-run first

Clinton, IA (May 3, 2018) - For the second straight night, the Clinton LumberKings surrendered a big first inning and failed to overcome it in an 8-3 loss to Bowling Green Hot Rods on Thursday night at Ashford University Field. Clinton (14-9) starter Ray Kerr lasted just one third of an inning in the shortest start by a LumberKings pitcher this season.
Bowling Green (15-11) batted around in the first inning sending 10 men to the plate and scoring five runs. The big hit in the inning belonged to Ronaldo Hernandez who cleared the bases with a grand slam to left, his first home run of the season.
Kerr (0-2) was removed three batters later when the Hot Rods reloaded the bases. For the second straight game, the LumberKings starting pitcher turned in the shortest start of the season.
The Hot Rods put the game out of reach in the third inning with a three-run rally against Clinton reliver Clay Chandler. The three-run rally, by Bowling Green, was Chandler's only hiccup. The righty ate 5.2 innings out of the bullpen to turn in the longest relief performance of the season by a LumberKing.
Ariel Sandoval factored into all three of the LumberKings run scoring rallies. In the bottom of the first, he singled up the middle to score Joseph Rosa. In the sixth inning, Sandoval walked to lead-off the inning and scored three batters latter on a Ryan Costello sacrifice fly to right. The LumberKings final run of the night was plated in the seventh on an RBI groundout by Sandoval.
Austin Franklin (2-2) started for Bowling Green and picked up the win for the Hot Rods. He worked seven innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out three.
The loss marks the third time in franchise history the LumberKings have been swept by Bowling Green, all at home, and is the first time Clinton has been swept this year.
The LumberKings will now host the Dayton Dragons with the first game of a three-game set starting on Friday night. Clinton will throw left-hander Oliver Jaskie (1-0, 2.00) against Dragons righty Adrian Rodriguez, who will be making his season debut. First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM. Fans looking to listen to the call of the game can hear Erik Oas at 6:15 PM with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI.
Friday will be Clinton Community College night at Ashford University Field. See Clinton Community College for a special offer on tickets to Friday night's game.
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, 279 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