Come back falls short in Burlington

BURLINGTON, IA (September 2, 2017) - A four-run top of the eighth inning by the Clinton LumberKings was not enough as they fell to the Burlington Bees 7-5 on Saturday night at Community Field. A night after being no hit, the LumberKings (31-37, 62-73) tallied their first hit in over a night in the top of the second inning.
Chris Rodriguez started for Burlington (32-35, 71-63) and earned the win with five innings of work, holding the LumberKings to one unearned run on six hits while walking none and striking out five.
After the Bees plated the game's first run in the bottom of the first inning, the LumberKings tied the game in the top of the third. Consecutive two out singles off Rodriguez (1-2) from Bryson Brigman and Nick Zammarelli scored the first run of the game for Clinton.
The Bees reclaimed the lead for good off LumberKings starter Ljay Newsome in the bottom of the fourth inning. Newsome (8-9) took the loss for a five-inning outing in which he allowed four runs, two earned, on nine hits while walking none and striking out four.
Burlington then added to their lead with a single run in the fifth, two in the sixth, and one in the seventh.
Clinton rallied back to pull within two with a four-run rally in the top of the eighth inning. The LumberKings sent nine men to the plate in the inning, which started with a Johnny Slater triple to left center field. Zammarelli scored Slater from third with a sacrifice fly to center. Three more runs came across in the inning on two out RBI singles from Gareth Morgan, Nick Thurman, and Louis Boyd
The rally would be as close as the LumberKings would get. Justin Kelly earned his second save of the season with the Bees for a 1-2-3 ninth inning.
The game featured 24 total hits, 14 for the Bees and 10 for the LumberKings.
The LumberKings will now play game two of their three-game series with the Burlington Bees. Clinton right-hander Steven Ridings (1-3, 3.02) will take the ball for the LumberKings and face Burlington's right-handed pitcher Elvin Rodriguez (0-1, 3.00). Game time is slated for 2:00 PM with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI beginning at 1:45 PM, Erik Oas will be on the call.
About the LumberKings
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are playing their 62nd season in the league and their ninth as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 272 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. Tickets to all 70 home games are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com