LumberKings Take Series with 6-5 Win

GENEVA, IL (August 20, 2019) - The Clinton LumberKings came from behind to take a four-game series with the Kane County Cougars behind a 6-5 win on Tuesday night at Northwestern Medicine Field. Jake Walters earned the win for Clinton (34-23, 67-59) who held on to beat the Cougars (36-21, 70-56) to move to two games back and now own the tie breaker.
Four errors by Kane County was one of the decisive factors in a sea-saw affair. In the top of the first, Christopher Torres reached on the first error of the night and eventually scored on a bases loaded walk by Kameron Misner. Two batters later Evan Edwards singled through the left side of the infield for a quick 2-0 LumberKings lead.
In the bottom of the first, the Cougars tied the game with a Zack Shannon two-run double to center field - the first of two leads surrendered by Walters (5-4).
Clinton then retook the lead in the second on a Bubba Hollins sacrifice fly to center field but had the lead disappear again in the bottom of the inning with another two-run Cougars hit - a Kristian Robinson two run homer.
Walters allowed no more following the second inning and earned his fifth win of the year when the LumberKings came from behind to take the lead for good in the fourth. He worked six innings allowing four runs, three earned, on four hits and walking none with striking out six.
Peyton Burdick, who had missed the previous four games, had the big hit of the night with a two-run single up the middle that turned Clinton's one run deficit into a one run lead, 5-4.
The run was enough to hang Adrian Del Moral (2-3) with the loss. He turned in 3.1 innings of work allowing five runs, three earned, on seven hits while walking one and striking out two.
The score remained unchanged until the top of the eighth when Clinton added an insurance run in one of the more unorthodox manners. With Peyton Burdick at second base following a Kameron Misner single, Cougars pitcher Brayan Menendez tossed the ball into the dugout voluntarily without time being called out. The umpires called it a live ball and two base throwing error - scoring Burdick from second.
In the bottom of the ninth Manuel Rodriguez preserved the lead to earn his second save of the year. He allowed a two out home run to Joey Rose that pulled Kane County to within one. On the very next pitch, Rodriguez retired KeShawn Lynch on a deep flyout to center field that was one foot short of the wall.
The win shrinks the LumberKings magic number to clinch a playoff spot six and moves them to within two games first place in the Western Division.
The LumberKings will now return home to Clinton to open a seven-game homestand with the first game of a three-game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Wednesday night. Clinton will throw righty Josh Roberson (1-4, 3.29) while Cedar Rapids will tap righty Luis Rijo (5-7, 2.63). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CDT). Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas with the pregame show on 6:15 p.m. with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tunein radio app.
Clinton returns home to open a homestand on Wednesday night with the first game of a three-game series with the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Arrive early for the final baseball card strip giveaway of the season courtesy of Mediacom and Clinton National Bank.
All night long, fans 21 years and older, can take part in "Retro Beer Night." Visit the first base beer stand for $2 select beers - sold all game long.
See Clinton County Republicans for a special offer on tickets.
About the LumberKings
The Clinton LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 64th season in the league and their first year of affiliation with the Miami Marlins. They play their home games at NelsonCorp Field a park that has been home for the Clinton franchise since 1937. Since the club's inception, 282 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