DAVENPORT, IA (July 8, 2017) - Billy Cooke collected his first professional career home run and the Clinton LumberKings outlasted the Quad Cites River Bandits 7-5 on Saturday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The LumberKings (6-11, 37-47) survived a four-run River Bandits (12-5, 49-39) eighth inning to take game two
DAVENPORT, IA (July 8, 2017) - Billy Cooke collected his first professional career home run and the Clinton LumberKings outlasted the Quad Cites River Bandits 7-5 on Saturday night at Modern Woodmen Park. The LumberKings (6-11, 37-47) survived a four-run River Bandits (12-5, 49-39) eighth inning to take game two of the series.
The first six and half innings were dominated by the LumberKings. Quad Cities starter Cesar Rosado struggled with control and issued a season-high six walks. In the top of the first inning, one walk and two singles combined to give Clinton an early 2-0 lead.
In the top of the second inning, Rosado (1-1) allowed a Nick Zamamrelli leadoff double and three straight walks to force in the third run of the game. Bryson Brigman then capped the rally with a sacrifice fly to center to give the LumberKings an early 4-0 lead.
The lead continued to grow for Clinton even after Rosado was taken out of the game in the fourth inning. Cooke added another two runs for the LumberKings in the top of the sixth inning with his first professional career home run.
An inning later Joe Rizzo crushed a leadoff home run in the seventh that was estimated to have traveled 425 feet for his fourth home run of the year. The long fly put the LumberKings on top 7-0.
Danny Garcia (6-5) started for Clinton and earned his first win of the season against the River Bandits. The lefty allowed just one run in his six plus innings of work and struck out seven while walking just two.
The River Bandits plated their first run of the game in the bottom of the seventh inning but broke out in the eighth to bat around for four runs.
Ronald Dominguez began the inning but, after recording the first out, gave up three straight hits to force in the River Bandits first run of the inning. The string of hits chased Dominguez from the game and was replaced by Tyler Watson. Watson did not fare much better and surrendered an RBI single to Daz Cameron scoring the fourth run of the inning. Watson then walked two batters to put the tying run on.
Seth Elledge replaced Watson and struck out Ray Henderson to end the eighth and then worked a 1-2-3 ninth inning to earn the save in his LumberKings debut.
The LumberKings will play game three of their four-game series with the Quad Cities River Bandits on Sunday night. Left-handed pitcher Lane Ratliff (1-1, 3.18) will take the ball for Clinton and face Quad Cities right-handed pitcher Gabriel Valdez (2-0, 4.34). First pitch is scheduled for 5:15 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 5:00 PM (CDT) on www.lumberkings.com, 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
