Sandoval homers in LumberKings loss

South Bend, IN (May 11, 2018) - An eighth inning home run by Ariel Sandoval was all the offense the Clinton LumberKings could muster in a 5-1 loss to the South Bend Cubs on Friday night at Four Winds Field. The Cubs (14-17) three-run first inning proved to be more than enough in a quite night for the LumberKings (18-13) at the plate.
Nick Wells started for Clinton and struggled to throw strikes in his first inning out. In the bottom of the first the Cubs worked three walks off of Wells (2-2) and needed just one hit to chase home three runs and take a lead they would hold for the rest of the night.
Cubs starter Brendon Little threw five shutout innings for South Bend to earn his second win of the season. The lefty struggled against leadoff hitters. The LumberKings got the leadoff man to reach in four out of the five innings that Little (2-2) worked.
Through the first five innings Clinton stranded six men on base, five of which were in scoring position.
In the top of the eight inning, with two out, the LumberKings tallied their only run of the night. Ariel Sandoval launched an 0-2 fastball from Cubs reliever Brian Glowicki into left field for his sixth home run of the season.
The Cubs then put the game out of reach in the bottom of the eighth inning. The first three batters reached against Scott Boches, leading to two more runs that gave South Bend their largest lead of the night.
The LumberKings did not go away quietly in the top of the ninth. Singles by Ryan Costello, Griefer Andrade, and Dimas Ojeda loaded the bases to bring the tying run to the plate. Glowicki then set down the LumberKings with a strikeout and flyout to earn his fourth save of the season.
The LumberKings return to Four Winds Field for the finale of their three-game set with the South Bend Cubs on Saturday night. Clinton will throw right-hander Tommy Romero (2-2, 2.67) while the Cubs will counter with right Rollie Lacy (0-0, 2.38). First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PM (ET). Fans looking to listen to the call of the game can hear Erik Oas at 6:50 PM (ET) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI.
About the LumberKings 
 
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are in their 63rd season in the league and their 10th as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 279 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. Advertising and tickets for the 2018 season are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com