CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (May 24, 2017) - Rayder Ascanio homered to lead-off the game for the second straight day for the Clinton LumberKings who rallied in the ninth for a 3-2 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Wednesday afternoon at Perfect Game Field. Ascanio scored the first two runs
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA (May 24, 2017) - Rayder Ascanio homered to lead-off the game for the second straight day for the Clinton LumberKings who rallied in the ninth for a 3-2 win over the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Wednesday afternoon at Perfect Game Field. Ascanio scored the first two runs of the game for the LumberKings (18-25) slugging his third home run of the season to leadoff the game.
Clark Beeker started for the Kernels and after serving up Ascanio's leadoff home run in the top of the first inning on the eighth pitch of the game settled down to work six innings.
Following the first inning the LumberKings did not get a man to second base until they loaded the bases against Beeker in the top of the sixth inning. Nick Zammarelli III came to the plate in the sixth for Clinton and lifted a fly ball to center that scored Ascanio for a 2-0 LumberKings lead.
Brandon Miller, who started for Clinton, was sharp in his longest outing of the year. The righty held the Kernels (26-20) scoreless through his first six innings but found himself in trouble in the bottom of the seventh inning.
After recording the first two outs of the inning on just two pitches, Miller allowed a double to Brandon Lopez down the first base line to begin a two-run rally. Ben Rortvedt followed and struck out swinging, but the pitch from Miller was wild and bounced over the net behind home plate putting runners at first and third base. Arron Whitefield capitalized on the LumberKings misfortune with a two-run triple down the right field line that tied the game at two.
Clinton pushed the deciding run across in the top of the ninth inning. Kernels reliver Alex Robinson, after throwing two perfect innings of relief, found himself in trouble after walking Zammaralli and giving up a single to Luis Rengifo with one out in the inning.
Robinson (1-2) was then removed from the game after the LumberKings had called on Yojhan Quevedo to pinch hit. The change sparked an argument from LumberKings manager Pat Shine who played the rest of the game under protest.
Quevedo stayed in the game to face the new Kernels reliever Hector Lujan, and singled to right to load the bases. Gareth Morgan then hit a ball to short for what looked like an inning ending double play. Kernels shortstop Jermaine Palacios went to second for the first out but Morgan beat the throw to first allowing Zammaralli to score the game's deciding run.
Marvin Gorgas worked the final two innings for Clinton and after allowing the tying and winning run to reach base recorded the final two outs to preserve the win. Gorgas (1-1), struck out three in his two innings of work to earn his first win of the year.
The LumberKings will play the fourth and final game of their four-game series with the first-place Cedar Rapids Kernels. Left-handed pitcher Tim Viehoff (1-5, 5.65) will take the ball for Clinton and face Cedar Rapids's Right-handed pitcher Eduardo Del Rosario (3-2, 4.69). First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 11:50 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
