Morgan's homer not enough in 8-4 loss

CLINTON, IA (July 13, 2017) - The Dayton Dragons scored in bunches to drop the Clinton LumberKings 8-4 on Thursday night at Ashford University Field. Gareth Morgan went 3-for-4 at the plate with a home run, two runs scored, and three RBI in the Clinton (7-14, 38-50) loss.
The LumberKings took their only lead of the night in the bottom of the second inning on a Morgan two run homer. The long fly was his eighth of the season but the lead was short lived.
The Dragons (7-14, 48-43) then broke out for the first of two big innings in the top of the third. Eight men came to the plate for Dayton against LumberKings starter Danny Garcia. Following a strikeout of Malik Collymore, Garcia (6-6) surrendered three straight hits including a two-run home run to Jose Siri, his 15^th of the season. The home run from Siri extended his team-high hitting streak to 20 games and was far from the end of the rally. Tyler Stephenson added an RBI double and Bruce Yari singled home the fourth and final run of the inning.
Garcia, who took the loss for Clinton, threw the ball well through the first two innings, striking out six of the first eight batters he faced. He allowed one more run to score in his final inning of work, the top of the fourth.
In the top of the sixth inning, the Dragons put the game out of reach for good with their second big rally of the game. Tyler Watson and Jeffeson Medina combined to allow three runs in the inning as Dayton sent eight men to the plate to claim an 8-2 lead.
Andrew Jordan started for Dayton and earned his fourth win of the season with five innings of work. He held the LumberKings to the second inning Morgan homer and then shutout Clinton over his final three innings of work.
Jordan (4-6) handed the ball over to Jesse Stallings who surrendered the final two runs of the game. Clinton record their final tallies in the bottom of the seventh. Nick Thurman led the inning off with a walk, one of three he drew in the game, and scored when Morgan doubled high off the wall in center. Two fly outs combined to force Morgan in for what proved to be the final LumberKings run of the game.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, Clinton put two men on but failed to score when Jess Adams retired the final two batters of the game to record his second save of the year with the Dragons.
The LumberKings will conclude their three games series against the Dayton Dragons on Friday night. Right-handed Ljay Newsome (4-8, 5.07) will take the ball for Clinton and face Dayton's right-handed pitcher Matt Blandino (0-0, 0.00). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 6:15 PM (CDT) on 100.3 FM WCCI or online at www.lumberkings.com, Erik Oas is on the call. Friday will be American Family Insurance Night at Ashford University Field for special ticket offers to the game please visit American Family Insurance! 
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