LumberKings Hold on for Series Opening Win

PEORIA, IL (August 10, 2019) - Zach Wolf earned the save for the second straight night and the Clinton LumberKings topped the Peoria Chiefs 4-2 on Saturday night at Dozer Park. Peyton Burdick led the way for Clinton (28-20, 61-56) at the plate with a 3-for-5 night that included a double, run scored, and an RBI.
The LumberKings jumped out early and quickly built a 3-0 lead. Christopher Torres doubled into the left field corner on the second pitch of the game and scored two batters later on a Burdick RBI single. The first inning rally continued two batters later when Will Banfield drove home Burdick with an RBI single.
In the top of the third inning, Kameron Misner leadoff the inning with a walk and scored on a Bubba Hollins single to right.
Peoria (14-34, 44-73) came back to tie the game. The Chiefs tallied a run in the bottom of the fifth inning and then tied the game with two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Nathan Alexander (4-3) was the first out of the bullpen for Clinton and earned the win. He turned in two shutout innings of work - allowing just one hit while walking none and striking out four.
The game's decisive run came across in the top of the eighth. Thomas Jones singled to left with one out and used speed to manufacture a run. He took second on a throwing error for a failed pickoff attempt, stole third, and then scored on the second error of the inning.
The run was enough to hang Tony Locey (1-2) with the loss. Over his 1.1 innings of relief work he allowed one run, unearned, on two hits while walking none and striking out two.
Zach Wolf came on to work the bottom of the ninth for the second straight night. He earned his team leading 10^th save of the season for one inning of work. Wolf stranded the potential tying run at first when he retired Edwin Figuera with a fly out to right.
The LumberKings will meet the Peoria Chiefs for game two of their three-game series on Sunday night. Clinton will throw righty Alberto Guerrero (5-6, 3,44) while Peoria will tap right Logan Gragg (0-1, 3.68). First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 p.m. (CDT). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas with the pregame show on 4:50 p.m. with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio app.
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, 282 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