Banfield's Double Powers Clinton to 4-2 Win

LANSING, MI (July 22, 2019) - Will Banfield doubled home two runs and the Clinton LumberKings dropped the Lansing Lugnuts 4-2 at Cooley Law School Stadium on Monday night. The win gave the LumberKings (21-9, 54-45) the series win over Lansing (15-15, 47-52) and brought to an end a six-game road trip with an impressive 4-2 mark.  
Clinton started the scoring in the top of the first. Christopher Torres reached with one out on a single to extend his hitting streak to 11-games and scored on a Connor Scott RBI single that extended his, team, season-high hitting streak to 13 games.
The Lugnuts answered in the bottom of the first with a run against LumberKings starter Jake Walters.
The game remained tied at one until Lansing took their only lead of the night with a run in the bottom of the fifth. D.J. Neal opened the inning by reaching on a two base fielding error by third basemen Bubba Hollins. Tanner Kirwer then followed with a triple to right center field to bring home Neal. He then tried for the inside-the-park home run but was thrown out at the plate on a relay throw by Samuel Castro.
Trailing by one, Clinton pushed back in front in the top of the sixth inning. Davis Bradshaw and Torres leadoff with singles, and Lugnuts reliever Sean Wymer then set down the next two batters. Will Banfield redeemed his teammates with a two out, two-run, double into the corner in left field that put the LumberKings on top for good.
Walters (2-3) benefited from the offense and earned the win. He turned in six innings, allowing two runs, both unearned, on seven hits while walking one and striking out three.
Wymer (5-9) was hung with the loss for a five-inning outing in which he allowed three runs, two earned, on four hits while walking none and striking out five.
The LumeberKings added an insurance run in the top of the ninth on a combination Evan Edwards double and two base throwing error.
Cam Baird had no need for the insurance run as he cruised through the bottom of the ninth by striking out the side in order to earn his first save of the year.
The LumberKings will take tomorrow off before opening a three-game series and homestand with the Kane County Cougars starting on Wednesday night. In the series opener, Clinton will throw righty Tanner Andrews (1-3, 3.91) while Kane County will tap right Ryan Weiss (5-5, 3.51). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CDT). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas with the pregame show on 6:15 p.m. with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio app.
The fun begins with a Wednesday night series opener that falls on "Retro Beer Night." For fans 21 years and older, enjoy retro beers for just $2 sold exclusively out of the first base beer stand all game long.
Arrive early and receive the fifth baseball card strip giveaway of the year. Be one of the first 500 fans through the gates and receive this giveaway courtesy of Clinton National Bank and Mediacom.
See participating businesses in Camanche for a special offer on tickets as part of Camanche Night at NelsonCorp Field.
About the LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 64th season in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. They play their home games at NelsonCorp Field a park that has been home for the Clinton franchise since 1937. Since the club's inception, 282 former Clinton players have gone on to reach the Major Leagues. Advertising and tickets for the 2019 season are available by calling (563)242-0727 or by visiting LumberKings.com