Romero shines in Clinton 7-6 win

Clinton, IA (May 18, 2018) - Tommy Romero turned in seven shutout innings, and the Clinton LumberKings held off a late Cedar Rapids Kernels push to take the series opener 7-6 on Friday night at Ashford University Field. LumberKings (21-16) batters combined to collect 14 hits for the second highest tally of the season.
Romero (3-2) turned in his strongest start as a LumberKing, holding the Kernels (17-19) scoreless over his seven innings of work. The righty scattered four hits during his time out while walking none and striking out seven to earn his third win of the season.
The game remained a scoreless tie through four innings with Cedar Rapids starter Blayne Enlow navigating jams over his 4.1 innings out.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Nate Brown was called on to relieve Enlow and promptly surrendered the game's first runs. Joseph Rosa singled with one out in the inning, moved to second on a ground out, and scored on an Ariel Sandoval RBI single. Seven pitches later Jack Larsen flew a ball to the farthest part of the ballpark, right center, for an RBI triple to cap the scoring in the inning.
Brown (0-2) returned for his second inning of relief in the sixt,h and let the LumberKings bat around against him to score five runs. Billy Cooke drove in the first run of the inning with a single to center to start a string of four straight hits that chased Brown from the game. Sandoval, who went 3-for-5 with a run scored and two RBI, plated the final run of the inning with a double to right center field.
The game remained 7-0 until the top of the eighth. Collin Kober came on in relief for starter Romero and immediately found himself in trouble when Trey Cabbage led the inning off with a triple into the right field corner. The Kernels sent 10 men to the plate in the inning to score six runs and pull to within one.
It was not until Kyle Wilcox entered with the possible tying run at second that Clinton exited the monster inning with a strikeout of Cabbage.
Wilcox stayed on to work the ninth, ending the game with back-to-bac strikeouts to earn his first save of the season.
The LumberKings continue their eight-game home-stand over seven days on Saturday night with the second game of a three-game set with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Clinton will throw left-hander Ray Kerr (1-3, 7.29) while the Kernels will counter with lefty Bryann Sammons (0-3, 2.76). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM. Fans looking to listen to the call of the game can hear Erik Oas at 6:15 PM with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI.
Saturday night the LumberKings will tip their caps to our hometown heroes. Arrive early to receive a special Seattle Mariners Military themed hat giveaway and special Regalia Manufacturing patriotic themed giveaways.
About the LumberKings 
 
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 63rd season in the league and their 10th as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 280 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. Advertising and tickets for the 2018 season are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com