LumberKings blow lead in ninth, fall 5-4

Clinton, IA (August 25, 2018) - A two-run ninth inning home run by Gabriel Garcia for the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers was the difference in a Clinton LumberKings 5-4 loss on Saturday night at Ashford University Field. The home run was the second two-run home run of the night for Wisconsin (32-30, 63-68) who topped Clinton (27-35, 66-66) for the second straight night.
The LumberKings controlled the first half of the game with three unanswered runs to take a 3-0 lead by the third inning. Johnny Adams drove home the game's first run in the bottom of the second with an RBI double and scored two batters later on a Connor Hoover RBI ground out.
The LumberKings added to their lead in the bottom of the third with a two-out rally. Onil Pena collected the first of his two doubles and then scored three pitches later on a Dimas Ojeda RBI single to right.
Wisconsin tied the game with three unanswered runs of the their own against Clinton starter Tyler Jackson. Eddie Silva hit the first of the Timber Rattlers two home runs in the top of the fourth, for his third big fly of the year and second against LumberKings pitching.
In the top of the fifth, Wisconsin tied the game on an RBI single by Tristen Lutz. The run was the last allowed by Jackson over his five innings of work and he was given a no decision for his time out.
The game remained tied until the bottom of the eighth. JT Hintzen came on in relief for Wisconsin and promptly walked the first batter he faced, Ojeda. A single by Ariel Sandoval, his third hit of the night, put runners at first and second and Juan Camacho doubled high off the wall in left center field to give the LumberKings a 4-3 lead.
Kyle Wilcox worked the top of the ninth for Clinton, his second inning of work, and set down two Timber Rattlers with a runner at first before running into Garcia. On a 2-0 pitch he lifted a two-run home to left center field that was estimated to have traveled 421 feet to give the Timber Rattlers the lead.
Wilcox (4-4) was given the loss for his time out, his fourth of the year.
Hintzen (3-1) stayed in to work the bottom of the ninth for Wisconsin and earned his third win of the year for a 1-2-3 final frame.
LumberKings pitching combined to strikeout 13 batters on the night to up their season strikeout total to 1,185. Sam Delaplane had six of the strikeouts to set a season high by Clinton pitching for consecutive strikeouts, six. The LumberKings sit three back of tying and four back of breaking the all-time franchise strikeout record of 1,188 set by the 1987 Clinton Giants.
The LumberKings will meet Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Sunday afternoon for the third game of their four-game series. Clinton will throw right-hander Ryne Inman (4-10, 4.75) while the Timber Rattlers will counter with righty Nelson Hernandez (10-10, 4.97). Game time is slated for 6:30 PM. Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio ap at 6:15 PM with the pregame show.
Sunday will be the final "Family Sunday Funday" at Ashford University Field in 2018. Bring the whole family for free face painting, balloon artists, and postgame kids run the bases courtesy of Children's Discovery Center. Residents of Jackson County visit your local participating business for a special offer on tickets!
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 2019 season are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com