CLINTON, IA (June 7, 2017) - The Clinton LumberKings scored in bunches on Wednesday night to drop the Cedar Rapids Kernels 9-6 at Ashford University Field. Three times the LumberKings rallied to put up crooked numbers in an inning, but none was bigger than the four-run sixth inning which proved
CLINTON, IA (June 7, 2017) - The Clinton LumberKings scored in bunches on Wednesday night to drop the Cedar Rapids Kernels 9-6 at Ashford University Field. Three times the LumberKings rallied to put up crooked numbers in an inning, but none was bigger than the four-run sixth inning which proved to be the decisive rally of the game.
Danny Garcia returned to the starting rotation for Clinton and learned before the game that he would be joining teammates Brandon Miller and Anthony Jimenez as the three LumberKings representatives at this year's all-star game in Great Lakes.
Garcia was rocky in his first inning allowing two Kernels (34-25) runs to score. The inning began with Travis Blankenhorn drawing a leadoff walk and Lewin Diaz, two batters later, being hit by the pitch putting runners on first and second base. Mitchell Kranson then drove home the first runs of the game with a two RBI double and was followed by Caleb Hamilton who doubled home Kranson for the third run of the inning.
The Kernels had an odd box score when the night was through. They tallied just four hits, but all of them were doubles and each double drove in at least one run.
The LumberKings answered the Kernels with two runs of their own in the bottom of the second inning. Jimenez singled to lead-off the frame, moved to second on a Luis Liberato walk, and moved to third after a Gareth Morgan single to left that loaded the bases. Jimenez then scored on a Sean Poppen wild pitch. Nick Thurman drove home the second run of the inning with a ground out to second.
It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that LumberKings took their first lead of the night. Again, Jimenez started the rally, drawing a walk and advancing to second on a Liberato single. Nick Zammarelli III then hit a ball off the wall in straight away center field to bring home Liberato and Jimenez to for a two-run triple that gave Clinton the lead. Zammarelli scored the third run of the inning on a Thurman ground out.
The lead did not hold up for Clinton. In the top of the fifth inning, the Kernels tied the game at five with a two-run rally. In Garcia's final inning of work Blankenhorn drew his second walk of the night and Diaz was hit for the second time, putting runners at first and third with two men out in the inning. Jaylin Davis then tied the game with a two-run double to left center field.
The game remained tied until the LumberKings broke out for four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Alex Robinson replaced Poppen on the mound and could not record an out in the sixth. The LumberKings loaded the bases to start the inning on a combination of Zammarelli hit-by-pitch and Morgan and Thurman walks. Robinson (1-4) was then removed, but the LumberKings cashed in on the opportunity. Johmbeyker Morales drove home the first two runs with a double to left center field and was chased home on the very next pitch on a Bryson Brigman double that scored the final two runs of the inning.
Leading 9-5, the LumberKings received a strong outing from Lane Ratliff. In just his second appearance of the year for Clinton, Ratliff (1-0) earned the win with 2.1 innings of relief work, allowing no runs on no hits, walking just one, and striking out five.
Kyle Wilcox finished the game for Clinton recording the final six outs. The righty allowed one run to score in the ninth but limited the damage to preserve the win for the LumberKings.
The LumberKings conclude their three-game series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Right-handed pitcher Robert Dugger (1-1, 2.73) will take the ball for Clinton and face Cedar Rapid's left-handed pitcher Domenick Carlini IV (3-3, 4.85) 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. Thursday is "Thirsty Thursday" with $1 draft Coors Light and Miller Lite from 5-8PM. Thursday will also be Throwback Thursday with the LumberKings paying tribute to previous Clinton affiliations by wearing jerseys from yesteryear.
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
