LumberKings Hold on For Third Straight

PEORIA, IL (April 15, 2019) - A five-run third inning was the difference in a Clinton LumberKings 8-7 win on Saturday night at Dozer Park. Jerar Encarnacion, Bubba Hollins, Demetrius Sims, and Thomas Jones each had multi-hit games as the LumberKings (5-5) combined to register 13 for the night - a new season high.
Clinton wasted not time in scoring the game's first runs. Connor Scott opened the game with a 10-pitch walk against Chiefs (4-7) starter Dionis Zamora. Two batters later, Jerar Encarnacion followed with a two-run home to left that cleared the berm for his third of the year.
Thomas Jones added another run for Clinton with the first of his two RBI singles in the top of the second inning.
Leading 3-0, LumberKings starter Alberto Guerrero allowed four of his five runs in the bottom of the second. Delvin Perez scored the first run of the inning with an RBI single and was followed two batters later by a Brandon Riley three-run double to center that gave the Chiefs a brief one-run lead - 4-3.
The large Peoria rally was answered immediately by Clinton in the top of the third. Zamora (0-2), allowed six hits in the inning, three for doubles, and was hung with the loss for his 2.2 innings of work. Jerar Encarnacion, Will Banfield, and Bubba Hollins, all had run scoring doubles with Encarnacion's driving in his third run of the game.
Guerrero (1-0) settled down following the 4-run second to work five innings for the LumberKings and earn his first win of the year. He struck out five during his time out and walked none.
Manuel Rodriguez was the only other pitcher used by Clinton and earned the save for a four-inning outing. Both of Rodriguez runs allowed came on a two-run home run from Peoria's nine-hitter by Wadye Ynfante in the bottom of the sixth.
Following the home run, Rodriguez did not allow a Chief past first and worked a 1-2-3 bottom of the ninth to preserve the LumberKings third straight win and first winning streak of the 2019 season.
The LumberKings will meet the Peoria Chiefs for the second game of a three-game series starting on Tuesday night. Clinton will throw right-handed pitcher Chris Vallimont (0-1, 1.80) while Peoria will counter with righty Tommy Parsons (2-0, 0.00). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call at 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio ap at 6:20 p.m. with the pregame show.
 
About the LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are preparing for their 64^thseason in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. Since the club's inception in 1937, 281 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