Peoria, Clinton combine for 26 strikeouts

CLINTON, IA (August 7, 2017) - The Clinton LumberKings tallied 14 strikeouts but failed to hold off the Peoria Chiefs in a 3-1 loss on Monday night at Ashford University Field. Peoria (25-19, 55-58) received a dominant start from Austin Warner who struck out 11 in a 7.2 inning outing.
Clinton (18-26, 49-62) scored the game's first run in the bottom of the second inning. Warner (2-2) allowed all three of the LumberKings hits in the game, all in the second inning. Yojhan Quevedo led off with a double and scored two batters later on a Gareth Morgan RBI single to left. A Nick Thurman single to center followed Morgan's RBI but would be the final hit of the night for the LumberKings.
Steven Ridings took the ball for Clinton and pitched well. Over 5.1 innings, his longest as a LumberKing, Ridings struck out a professional career-high eight but was given the loss for his time out.
In the top of the sixth inning, Peoria chased Ridings from the game with two runs to take the lead. Brian O'Keefe double to open the frame and moved to third on a Stefan Trosclair single. Torsclair himself moved into scoring position on the play when the throw from left went to third basemen Joe Rizzo. With runners at second and third, Juan Yepez singled home two with a two-run single to center.
Peoria would add an unearned run in the eighth inning against LumberKings reliever Jeffeson Medina to stretch their lead to 3-1.
Clinton failed to get a runner to second following the second inning and went down in order in the bottom of the ninth to Chiefs reliever Max Almonte. Almonte earned his first save of the season for Peoria with a 1.1 innings of work in relief.
LumberKing reliever J.P. Sears performance was not to be lost in the losing effort as he faced four Chiefs and struck them all out.
The LumberKings conclude their four-game series with the Peoria Chiefs on Tuesday night. Left-handed pitcher Nick Wells (5-8, 6.10) will take the ball for Clinton and face Peoria right-handed pitcher Anthony Shew (0-0, 4.87). Game time is slated for 6:30 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. Tuesday will be "Sweet and Salty Tuesday" at the ballpark with fans able to enjoy 50 cent popcorn and cotton candy all game long.
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, 271 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