Timber Rattlers thump LumberKinngs 10-4

Clinton, IA (April 9, 2018) - Ariel Sandoval's third home run of the season was not enough for the Clinton LumberKings on Monday night at Ashford University Field as they fell to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 10-4.
Jay Feliciano led the way for Wisconsin (2-2) with a 4-for-4 night at the plate in which he drove in two runs and scored four times. The first of Feliciano's four hits came with the bases loaded and gave the Timber Rattlers a lead they would not relinquish.
Despite the lopsided tally, the LumberKings (2-2) raced out to an early lead with a run in the bottom of the first. Louis Boyd, who went 3-for-5 at the plate, initiated Clinton's first rally of the night. With one out, he singled to left field and scored five pitches later on a Sandoval RBI double just fair down the line at third.
Clinton starter Ray Kerr made his season debut and was given the loss for his time out. After setting down the Timber Rattlers 1-2-3 in the top of the first he allowed nine men to come up against him in the second for a four-run Timber Rattlers rally.
In the top of the fourth, Kerr (0-1) failed to record an out but was charged for all three of Wisconsin's runs in the inning. Payton Henry tallied the big hit in the frame, slicing an opposite field home run to right for his second long fly of the season.
The deficit proved too much for the LumberKings to overcome. Wisconsin's starting pitcher Dylan File settled in following the first inning to hold the LumberKings scoreless over his final four innings . File (1-0) earned the win for his five innings of work in which he struck out five and walked one.
The LumberKings pulled closer with three runs in the bottom of the seventh. Billy Cooke walked with one out, moved to second on a ground out, and scored when Boyd's second hit of the night scored him with two out in the inning. On the very next pitch Sandoval sent his third home run of the season into orbit for a two-run smash and his third RBI of the night.
The home run would be the closest the LumberKings would get as Rodrigo Benoit worked around a pair of LumberKings singles in the ninth to drop Clinton 10-4.
The LumberKings will now host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers for game two of their four-game series at Ashford University Field. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM with gates opening at 11 AM. The LumberKings will throw right-handed pitcher Ryne Inman (0-0, -.--) while the Timber Rattlers will counter with right-handed pitcher Christian Taugner (0-0, -.--).
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, 278 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