Helder homers in LumberKings 9-1 loss

Davenport, IA (August 1, 2018) - A Eugene Helder home run was all the Clinton LumberKings had to show in a 9-1 loss to the Quad Cities River Bandits on Wednesday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The loss was the LumberKings (19-19, 58-50) fourth straight against the River Bandits (20-18, 60-48) as they still have yet to win a game in Quad Cities this season.
Jairo Solis started for Quad Cities and was sharp over 5.2 innings of work. He allowed just three hits while walking one and striking out seven to earn his second win of the season.
The only runs scored against Solis (2-4), or any River Bandits pitcher, came in the top of the second inning with the LumberKings trailing 1-0. Helder hit a towering solo home run to left for his sixth big fly of the year, which briefly tied the game at one.
Quad Cities took the lead for good in the bottom of the second on a solo home run by Miguelangel Sierra off LumberKings starter Ray Kerr. Sierra ended his night with two home runs, both solo shots, to up his season total to nine.
In the bottom of the third, Kerr (3-10) allowed his biggest inning of the night. Eight River Bandits came to the plate to score four runs on four hits and pull away from the LumberKings.
Kerr stayed on to work into the fourth but failed to make it out of the inning. In the end, he was credited with 3.1 innings allowing eight runs on eight hits while walking four and striking out three. For his time, Kerr was given the loss, his 10^th of the year.
Edgardo Sandoval came on in relief for River Bandits starter Solis and silenced the LumberKings offense with 3.1 shutout innings of work. Sandoval was awarded his first save of the season for his work, holding Clinton to just three bases runners over the final four innings.
The LumberKings will meet the Quad Cities River Bandits for game two of their three-game series on Thursday night. Clinton will throw right-hander Scott Boches (2-3, 3.23) while the River Bandits will tap righty Chad Donato (0-0, 3.24). Game time is slated for 6:35 PM (CDT). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio ap at 6:20 PM with the pregame show.
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