Two big innings sink LKings in series finale

Comstock Park, MI (May 9, 2018) - The Clinton LumberKings could not complete their first road sweep of the season as they fell to the West Michigan Whitecaps 8-5 on Wednesday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark. The Whitecaps (18-14) two four-run rallies proved too much to overcome for the LumberKings (18-14), a loss that snapped a three-game winning streak.
Oliver Jaskie started for Clinton and turned in five innings despite allowing the first of the four run rallies. The lefty struck out eight to match a professional career high while walking three and giving up four hits.
The Whitecaps pushed across the first runs of the game in the bottom of the second inning. One out walks by Jaskie (1-2) to Reynaldo Rivera and Joey Morgan set the scene for a two-out rally. Ignacio Valdez doubled down the line at third to score the first two runs of the game. Alexis Garcia then lined the next pitch down the left field line for the third run off the inning. Cole Petersen capped the rally with a triple to left center to give West Michigan a 4-0 lead.
The lead was stretched in the bottom of the sixth with the second Whitecaps four-run rally of the afternoon.
Trailing 8-0, the LumberKings offense awoke after being silenced by Whitecaps starter Matt Manning (1-1) over his six innings of work.
Jack Larsen started the scoring for Clinton with a solo home runt to right that led-off the seventh inning, his fifth of the season.
The LumberKings then rallied for four-runs of their own in the top of the eighth. 10 Clinton batters came up in the inning with Dimas Ojeda collecting the biggest hit of the rally, a two-run double to right.
The comeback effort would get no closer however as Wladimir Pinto worked a 1-2-3 ninth to earn his seventh save of the season.
The LumberKings continue their road trip with the first game of a three game set with the South Bend Cubs on Thursday night. Clinton will throw right-hander Ryne Inman (1-2, 6.10) in game one of the three-game series while the Cubs will counter with righty Javier Assad (3-1, 2.49). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (ET). Fans looking to listen to the call of the game can hear Erik Oas at 6:50 AM (ET) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI.
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, 279 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