Back in first on hit-by-pitch walk-off win

Clinton, IA (May 21, 2018) - The Clinton LumberKings moved back into first place in the Western Division, via a bases loaded hit-by-pitch, to drop the Burlington Bees 4-3 in 10 innings on Monday night at Ashford University Field. Despite managing just three hits, the fewest in a game this season, the LumberKings (22-18) registered their third extra inning win of the year.
Clinton jumped out to an early lead with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. Two of the LumberKings three hits came in the inning with the second by Ariel Sandoval plating Joseph Rosa for the first run of the game. Johnny Adams drove home the second run of the inning with a ground out to second to spot LumberKings starter Ryne Inman a 2-0 lead.
Inman turned in his third consecutive strong start for Clinton. Over his 5.2 innings of work he held the Bees (17-24) to just two runs on six hits while walking one and striking out six.
Burlington tied the game in the top of the sixth. Back-to-back extra base hits opened the frame. Kevin Williams Jr. doubled to open the inning and scored two pitches later on a triple down the line at first by Julio Garcia. Garcia trotted home to score the game's tying run on an RBI ground out by Franklin Torres.
The game remained tied past the ninth and into the 10^th inning. The free base runner that starts each extra inning at second base in the minor leagues scored for the Bees in the top of the 10^th to break the tie and give Burlington their first lead of the night.
Sam Delapalne was charged with giving up the extra inning run, unearned, but set down all six of the batters he faced over his two innings of relief work to earn his third win of the season. Delaplane (3-0) struck out five during his time out including a ninth inning in which he set down the side in order all by way of the strikeout.
In the bottom of the 10^th the LumberKings pushed across two runs without the benefit of a hit. Dimas Ojeda opened the inning at second against Bees reliever Brett Hanewich. Nick Thurman was hit on the first pitch by Hanewitch (0-1), followed by a walk to Billy Cooke, and another walk to Rosa that forced home the game's tying run. Louis Boyd then batted with the bases loaded and nobody out and was hit on the fourth pitch of the at-bat to force home Thurman for the LumberKings second walk-off win of the season.
The win, in unison with losses by the Quad Cities River Bandits and Peoria Chiefs, moves the LumberKings back into first place with a half-game lead.
The LumberKings will meet the Burlington Bees for the second and third games of the five-game series on Tuesday night. Clinton will throw right-hander Clay Chandler (1-0, 3.77) in game one while the Bees will tap righty Isaac Mattson (1-2, 5.20). First pitch for game one is scheduled for 5:00 PM with the first pitch in game two to follow approximately 30 minutes following the final out in game one. Fans looking to listen to the call of the game can hear Erik Oas at 5:00 PM with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI to being at 4:45 PM.
Tuesday's are "Two Dollar Tuesdays" at Ashford University Field. Two-dollar general admission tickets, box seat upgrades, Miller Lite and Coors Light tall boys, soft drinks, hot dogs, and ice cream are valuable all game long for just two bucks!
Fans attending Tuesday's doubleheader be sure to arrive early for the first baseball card strip giveaway courtesy of Clinton National Bank and Mediacom.
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