LKings winning streak snapped in 1-hit loss

PEORIA, IL (June 10, 2017) - It took until one-out into the ninth inning, but the Clinton LumberKings recorded their first hit and only hit of the night to avoid the no-hitter in a 7-0 loss to the Peoria Chiefs on Saturday night at Dozer Park. Johmbeyker Morales spoiled the no-hitter for Peoria (27-34) with a single up the middle with one out in the ninth inning.
The LumberKings (25-34) could not solve Chief starter Austin Sexton. The righty turned in his longest start of the season while setting a new professional career-high for strikeouts with 10 to earn his second win of the year. Sexton (2-0) did not allow a hit over seven innings allowing only Nick Zammarelli III to reach on an error by leftfielder Vince Jackson.
Ljay Newsome took the ball for the LumberKings, in his first start after being activated from the disabled list. The righty lasted just 2.2 innings and was hung with the loss stretching his losing streak to five games.
The Chiefs jumped on Newsome (4-6) in the bottom of the first inning. Peoria collected four hits in the frame, all extra base hits to take an early 3-0 lead. Andrew Knizner drove home the first run with a double to right and was chased home on a Ryan McCarvel tripled to right center. The rally was capped by a Vince Jackson RBI double to left.
Peoria added three more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Dylan Carlson began the scoring with an opposite field solo home run to right. Two more runs came across for Peoria on RBI singles from Shane Billings and Andrew Young.
Juan Yepez drove home the final run of the game in the bottom of the seventh. The Chiefs third basemen went back-to-back with Jackson for a double to chase home Peoria's seventh run of the night.
Heading into the ninth inning, the LumberKings still had failed to record a hit. Austin Sexton no-hit Clinton through his seven innings, and Brady Bowen did not allow a hit in his one inning of relief work.
In the top of the ninth inning, the Chiefs went to the bullpen again turning to lefty Dewin Perez. Perez struck out the first batter, pinch-hitter, Kristian Brito. Johmbeyker Morales then singled on a bouncing ball up the middle on a 2-1 pitch for Clinton's first and only hit of the night.
The loss snapped the LumberKings three-game winning streak.
The LumberKings play game three of their four-game series with the Peoria Chiefs on Sunday afternoon. Left-handed pitcher Nick Wells (1-6, 6.79) will take the ball for Clinton and face Peoria's left-handed pitcher John Kilichowski (0-5, 6.30) First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 1:45 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