Jones Homers in Offensive Break Out

BURLINGTON, IA (May 13, 2019) - Thomas Jones homered and the Clinton LumberKings offense broke out for a 7-3 win over the Burlington Bees on Monday night at Community Field. Jones joined teammates Sean Reynolds, and Will Banfield with three hits on the night as the LumberKings (18-17) combined to register 13 hits to match a season high.
Clinton started the scoring immediately off Bees (22-15) starter John Swanda. Connor Scott opened the game with a walk and was followed by a Banfield RBI double to center. The scoring was capped three batters later on a Reynolds RBI single to right.
The 2-0 lead was immediately matched, and then bested, by Burlington in the bottom of the first. Manuel Rodriguez started for Clinton and lasted just one inning after all three of the Bees runs came into score in the bottom of the first. The first four batters collected hits with Francisco Del Valle slugging his second home run of the year to give Burlington their only lead of the night, 3-2.
Swanda (0-1) protected his one-run lead for one inning until the LumberKings broke out again for another two-run rally in the fourth to take the lead for good. Jerar Encarnacion tied the game with an RBI single and Jones first hit of the night brought home the go ahead run on an RBI single to left.
From there, Clinton continued to add on. Jones slugged his third home run of the year in the seventh to give himself three RBIs on the night and Connor Scott's one-out triple in the eighth became the final run of the night on a Banfield sacrifice fly to left.
Swanda earned the loss for Burlington for his three innings of work. He allowed four runs on six hits while walking two and striking out four.
Nathan Alexander and Tanner Andrews combined to shutout the Bees over the final eight innings. Only four hits were surrendered by the pair with Alexander (1-0) earning his first win of the year for two shutout innings of relief.
Andrews held the line the rest of the way for Clinton with the longest relief outing of the year - six innings. The work earned him his second save of the season as he allowed just two hits while walking three and striking out four.
The LumberKings will take tomorrow off before continuing their road trip with the first of three games against the Burlington Bees on Monday night. Clinton will throw right-handed pitcher Humberto Mejia (2-0, 2.51) while the Bees will throw righty Luis Alvarado (2-2, 3.80). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call at 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio ap at 6:15 p.m. (CDT) with the pregame show.
 
About the LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are preparing for their 64^thseason in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. Since the club's inception in 1937, 281 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