Slater, Cooke go deep in LumberKings win

APPLETON, WI (August 3, 2017) - Billy Cooke and Johnny Slater each homered as the Clinton LumberKings dropped the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 4-2 on Thursday night at Neuroscience Group Field. The homers were the second of the year for the LumberKings (16-24, 47,60) outfielders and proved to be the difference in the win.
The first run of the game scored in the bottom of the first inning. Luis Rengifo singled to open the game against Timber Rattlers (18-22, 44-64) starter Braden Webb. Two batters later, Rengifo scored when Joe Rizzo doubled to right center field. Rengifo originally stopped at third but scored on the play when Wisconsin second basemen Trever Morrison misplayed the relay throw. Morrisson was charged with an error on the play.
The LumberKings added on against Webb (4-6) in the top of the second inning. Dimas Ojeda singled to left to lead off the frame and scored when Cooke smashed a two-run homer to left that put the LumberKings on top 3-0.
LumberKings starter Nick Wells protected the lead despite allowing five hits and four walks over his 5.1 inning outing. Wells (5-8) earned the win for Clinton, his second of the year against Wisconsin.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Timber Rattlers scored their only runs of the night. Both tallies were charged to Wells who allowed the first four men of the inning to reach. Wells was then replaced by Steven Moyers who limited the damage to a Devin Hariston RBI single.
Moyers earned his second hold of the year for the LumberKings before turning the ball over to Michael Koval in the eighth. Koval faced five batters and set them all down, two by way of the strikeout, to earn his third save of the season.
Following the two-run Wisconsin rally, Clinton answered with their final run of the night. Johnny Slater hit a high-arching home run just over the wall down the right field line for his second home run as a LumberKing.
The LumberKings conclude their seven-game road trip the third and final of a three-game series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. Right-handed pitcher Ryne Inman (1-1, 10.45) will take the ball for Clinton and face Wisconsin right-handed pitcher Victor Diaz (1-3, 4.98). Game time is slated for 7:05 PM (C.D.T.) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI beginning at 6:50 PM, Erik Oas will be on the call.
The LumberKings return to Ashford University Field on Saturday, August 5 with a four-game home stand against the Peoria Chiefs. Saturday and Sunday of the home stand feature giveaways before the game and Saturday's festivities will conclude with a post-game concert performance from Slough Boys.
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, 271 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