Early Offense Sinks LumberKings

CLINTON, IA (June 1, 2019) - Early offense by the Kane County Cougars was too much to overcome for the Clinton LumberKings as they fell 7-3 on Saturday night at NelsonCorp Field. Chris Vallimont turned in his shortest start of the season and was hung with the loss after just 1.2 innings of work.
Kane County (30-25) scored the game's first run in the top of the first inning and held on to their lead for the rest of the night. Alex Thomas initiated the rally with a single and moved to third on a throwing error by Vallimont (3-4) on a pick off attempt. Zach Shannon then singled through the right side of the infield to bring Thomas home.
The Cougars continued to add on against Vallimont. In the top of the second they added four more runs for their largest rally of the night. The LumberKings (27-27) allowed another run in the third to fall down 6-0.
In the bottom of the fourth, J.D. Osborne put Clinton on the board with a two-run home run to left that cut the deficit to four runs. The blast was his third of the year and his third in his last three games played.
The runs were the only ones surrendered by Cougars starter Matt Tabor (1-1). He earned the win for a five-inning outing allowing two runs on three hits while walking one and striking out a professional career high eight batters.
Following a run by the Cougars in the seventh, the LumberKings scored their final run of the night in the bottom of the eighth. Connor Scott opened the frame with a double and scored two batters later on a Will Banfield single. The rally ended for Clinton with runners at second and third and they then went down 1-2-3 in the bottom of the ninth.
Ethan Larrison earned the save for the Cougars - his fourth of the year - and retired all five of the LumberKings that he faced.
The LumberKings will now meet the Kane County Cougars for the third and final game of their series on Saturday night. Clinton will throw righty Alberto Guerrero (2-1, 3.10) while Kane County will tap righty Justin Lewis (3-3, 2.25). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. 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 or online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio app.
Bring your four-legged friends out for the first "Bark in the Park" - sponsored by Bitzy's in Clinton - of the season as we get ready for the dog days of summer.
Come see the Clinton LumberKings rebrand to the Clinton Elotes for Sunday's matinee meeting with the Kane County Couagrs. See the new look, enjoy the Latinx food, and join the fiesta of Copa de la Diversion!
All Sunday's in Clinton are Family Funday Sundays. Bring the whole family down to the ballpark for free face painting, balloon artists, and postgame kids run the bases courtesy of the Children's Discovery Center in Clinton.
 
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