Five-run first drops LumberKings in series opener

CLINTON, IA (May 18, 2017) - Danny Garcia was hit hard in an 8-5 Clinton LumberKings loss to the Burlington Bees on Thursday night at Ashford University Field. Garcia (2-4) lasted just 3.2 innings and gave up five runs in the top of first inning to take his fourth loss of the year.
After falling behind early the LumberKings made things more interesting by chipping away late in the game eventually pulling within three runs.
The Bees (12-24) batted around in the first inning to jump out to a 5-0 lead before Clinton (15-22) got to swing the bats. The Bees collected six hits in the inning four of which went for extra base hits. The Bees registered four triples in the game, all off of Garcia, the most allowed by LumberKings pitching in a game this season.
Brennon Lund, who tripled in the first inning, had two three baggers adding another in the top of the fourth. In what would be Garcia's final inning of work, he gave up three straight triples to the Bees with one out in the fourth inning. The outing was his second shortest of the year.
The LumberKings pushed their first run of the night across in the bottom of the third inning. Without recording a hit in the inning, Clinton worked back-to-back two out walks off Bees starter Nate Bertness. Luis Rengifo drew the first and quickly found himself at third after stealing second and third base. Rengifo collected four steals in the games to tie Alan Wiggins 1979 feat for the franchise record for most steals in a single game. Wiggins also stole his four baes at Ashford University Field against Burlington.
Rengifo scored later in the fourth when Bryson Brigman,m after drawing the second walk of the inning, was picked off of first to end the inning but managed to stay in a rundown long enough for Rengifo to score from third.
The LumberKings continued to chip away adding another run against Bertness (2-3) in the fifth and one more off his replacement Jonah Wesley in the sixth inning.
The score stayed locked at 8-3 before the LumberKings pulled to within three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning. Kristian Brito singled to lead-off the inning and scored two batters later when Luis Liberato hit a towering home run to right for his fourth long fly of the year. Brigman added a double two batters latter but was left stranded there when Joe Rizzo flew out to left to end the game.
LumberKings relievers were sharp after the short start from Garcia. Ronald Dominguez, who worked 3.2 innings, combined with Jeffeson Medina to shutout the Bees over the final 5.2 innings.
The win for Burlington snaps their season-long six game losing streak.
The LumberKings will play game two of their four-game series and home stand with the Burlington Bees on Friday night. Right-handed pitcher Brandon Miller (4-2, 4.11) will take the ball for Clinton and face Burlington's right-handed pitcher Sam Pastrone (1-3, 6.37). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 6:15 PM (CDT) on 100.3 FM WCCI Erik Oas is 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, 270 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