Pitching Thrills in LumberKings 2-1 win

CLINTON, IA (June 2, 2019) - Pitching was the theme, and just enough offense by the Clinton LumberKings was the difference in a 2-1 win over the Kane County Cougars on Sunday afternoon at NelsonCorp Field. Alberto Guerrero stated the pitching success for the LumberKings (28-27) with seven shutout innings to help earn the series win over Kane County (30-26).
Guerrero was given a no decision for his time out but did not allow a run over a season high seven inning out. He surrendered just three hits, issued four walks, and struck out seven.
His only test of the game came in the top of the third when the Cougars loaded the bases with one out and threatened to break the scoreless tie. Guerrero then struck out the three and four hitters to keep the game scoreless and did not again allow a runner to reach third base against him.
Clinton struck first putting an unearned run up in the bottom of the fifth. The rally started with two men out when Thomas Jones lifted a deep fly to left field that was dropped by Eduardo Diaz for a two base fielding error. Five pitches later Zach Scott singled up the middle to bring home Jones for Scott's first RBI of the year.
The run held up for the LumberKings until the top of the eighth when Kane County tied the game with their only run of the afternoon. Zach Wolf came on in relief for Guerrero and allowed a one-out double to Alex Thomas and then Diaz single that put runners at first and third. Buddy Kennedy then lined a 2-2 pitch into left that Jones caught for a sacrifice fly.
Wolf (2-1) would be awarded the win when the LumberKings scored the game's decisive run in the bottom of the eighth. Jerar Encarnacion opened the inning with a walk, moved to second on a wild pitch, took third on a flyout to center, and then scored on a Sean Reynolds sacrifice fly.
Alex Vesia came on for Clinton to work the ninth and worked around a one out single to preserve the win. He struck out the final two Cougars of the game to earn his second save of the year.  
The LumberKings will take tomorrow off before continuing their home-stand with the first game of a three-game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Tuesday night.
See the Eagle Heights PTA for a special offer on tickets as part of Eagle Heights PTA Night. All Tuesday's in Clinton are "Two Dollar Tuesdays" with $2 tickets, $2 box seat upgrades, $2 select beers, $2 soft drinks, $2 hot dogs, and $2 ice cream.
 
About the LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 64th season in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. They play their home games at NelsonCorp Field a park that has been home for the Clinton franchise since 1937. Since the club's inception, 282 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