Morgan Thurman homer in LumberKings win

PEORIA, IL (August 21, 2017) - Gareth Morgan and Nick Thurman each homered in a Clinton LumberKings 7-6 win over the Peoria Chiefs at Dozer Park on Monday afternoon. Thurman's three run blast in the top of the fifth inning proved to be the decisive blow as the LumberKings (25-32, 56-68) split a four-game series with the Chiefs (30-27, 60-66).
The game see-sawed back and forth through the first five innings. Following a 35-minute rain delay, the Chiefs scored first on a Brian O'Keefe solo home run in the bottom of the first inning off LumberKings starter Danny Garcia.
Garcia (7-11) earned the win for Clinton going five plus innings of work but allowing six runs, five earned, on 10 hits while walking none and striking out three. The lefty allowed the Chiefs to score in all but one of his innings out.
Ryan McCarvel gave Peoria their second lead of the game with a two-run home run to center. The long fly was his 15^th of the season and would be the final lead of the game for the Chiefs.
Clinton scored their first runs of the game in the top of the second inning. Three of the Chiefs four errors came in the inning with two on the same play. The defensive miscues led to three LumberKings runs, and their first lead of the game.
Morgan put the LumberKings back out in front in the top of the fourth, when he led the inning off with a solo home run to center for his team leading 15^th home run of the season.
In the top of the fifth inning the LumberKings took the lead for good. Frederis Parra, who entered the game following a 30-minute delay for the eclipse, walked Joe Rizzo with one out and two batters later allowed a single to Nick Zammarelli III. Nick Thurman then pulled a three-run homer down the line in right that put the LumberKings on top. The home run was Thurman's fifth of the season, and was enough to hang Parra (3-5) with the loss.
Following a run by the Chiefs in the bottom of the sixth inning. The game remained a one-run contest till the end.
J.P. Sears worked the final two innings for the LumberKings and allowed no runs during his time out to pick up his second save of the season.
The LumberKings will now head to Burlington to open a three-game series with the Burlington Bees on Tuesday night. Right-handed pitcher Ljay Newsome (7-8, 4.35) will take the ball for Clinton. Game time is slated for 6:30 PM (C.D.T.) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI beginning at 6:15 PM, Erik Oas will be on the call.
The LumberKings will return home to Clinton for the final home stand of the season on Friday, August 25. Clinton will host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers from August 25 through August 28 before taking Tuesday, the 29th, off and beginning the final home series of the year with the Kane County Cougars August 30^th through September 1^st. Saturday, August 26 will be the final "Stay Late Saturday" of the season, with Cal Stage Band performing a special post-game concert. Stay after the game on September 1^st as we thank the fans after the final home game of the year with a post-game fireworks spectacular presented by WQAD-TV. To reserve your seats call (563) 242-0727 or visit www.lumberkings.com
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, 272 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