CLINTON, IA (August 17, 2017) - Gareth Morgan crushed a ninth inning home run for the Clinton LumberKings second straight walk-off win, 3-2, over the Kane County Cougars on Thursday night at Ashford University Field. Clinton (23-30, 54-66) came from behind to win the third game of the set and
CLINTON, IA (August 17, 2017) - Gareth Morgan crushed a ninth inning home run for the Clinton LumberKings second straight walk-off win, 3-2, over the Kane County Cougars on Thursday night at Ashford University Field. Clinton (23-30, 54-66) came from behind to win the third game of the set and win the series.
Ljay Newsome took the ball for the LumberKings and turned in his third straight strong start. Over a seven-inning outing he held the Cougars (28-25, 67-53) to two runs on five hits while walking none and striking out six.
Kane County scored the game's first runs, and their only runs of the night, in the top of the third inning. Marcus Wilson doubled with one out in the inning to and two pitches later scored when Ramon Hernandez slugged a two-run homer to left center field. The blast was Hernandez 10th of the season and gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead.
In the bottom of the sixth, the LumberKings tied it. Singles from Nick Thurman and Billy Cooke lead off the inning and turned into runs when Johnny Slater reached on an error by Kane County second basemen Adam Walton. Yojhan Quevedo then drove home the second run of the inning with a sacrifice fly to right.
The game remained tied at two as the game settled into a battle of bullpens. Junior Garcia held the LumberKings scoreless in the eighth inning, his first inning of work. Garcia (2-2) then started the bottom of the ninth and on a 3-2 pitch served up a mammoth solo home run to Gareth Morgan. Morgan's home run was his 13th of the campaign, most by a LumberKings this year, and gave Clinton back-to-back walk-off wins for the first time this season.
Jeffeson Medina earned the win for Clinton with two perfect innings of relief. Medina (5-0) struck out the first five Cougars he faced to earn his fifth win of the season.
The LumberKings will now hit the road for a seven game road trips beginning with the first of four with the Peoria Chiefs on Friday night. Right-handed pitcher Steven Ridings (0-2, 4.84) will take the ball for Clinton and face the Chiefs right-handed pitcher Anthony Shew (1-0, 4.26). Game time is slated for 7:00 PM (C.D.T.) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI beginning at 6:15 PM, Erik Oas will be 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, 272 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
