LumberKings muster just 3 hits in 9-2 loss

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (May 25, 2017) - Three hits were all the Clinton LumberKings could muster in a 9-2 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Thursday night at Perfect Game Field at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Kernels (27-20) pulled away with a five-run bottom of the fifth inning, bolstering their lead with home runs from Jaylin Davis and Lewin Diaz.
Ronald Dominguez made his first start of the year for Clinton (18-26) and struggled in his first inning out. Ariel Montesino tripled to right off Dominguez (0-2) second pitch of the game, and scored when Jermaine Palacios singled him home for the first run of the game. Diaz then bounced into a double play for Dominguez first outs of the game but Davis added another run with his Midwest League leading 11^th of the season.
Trailing 2-0, the LumberKings failed to get anything going against Kernels starter Eduardo Del Rosario. Del Rosario (4-2) retired the first 10 LumberKing batters he faced and did not allow a man to reach against him until Bryson Brigman drew a one-out walk in the top of the fourth inning. Anthony Jimenez followed two batters later with a home run to left. The hit was the first of the night for Clinton and turned out to be their only runs. Jimenez home run was his third of the season.
The game remained tied at two until the Kernels broke out for five runs in the bottom of the fifth inning. Dominguez started the inning but could not record an out, allowing the first four men to reach. Hank Morrison was the first to reach in the rally and scored when, the next batter, Caleb Hamilton doubled him home to break the 2-2 tie. Two batters later, Aaron Whitefield singled to right to drive home the second run of the inning and chases Dominguez from the game.
Tim Viehoff followed in relief and allowed the final three runs of the rally. Davis capped the inning with a two-run single to right that put the Kernels on top for good. Of the five runs scored in the inning four were charged to Dominguez and one to Viehoff.
The Kernels added two more runs off Viehoff in the bottom of the seventh inning when Diaz hit a two-run homer to left. The home run was Diaz seventh of the season and put the game out of reach.
The LumberKings went down quietly in their final two innings being retired in order in the eighth and ninth inning.
The LumberKings will head home for a four-game home stand and series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Left-handed pitcher Nick Wells (1-4, 6.35) will take the ball for Clinton and face Wisconsin's Right-handed pitcher Zack Brown (1-2, 6.23). 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.
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