Unearned 8th inning run sinks LumberKings

APPLETON, WI (August 2, 2017) - An unearned eighth inning run by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers proved to be the difference in a 2-1 Clinton LumberKings loss on Wednesday night at Neuroscience Group field.
The scoring started early for both teams and then settled into a pitcher's duel. Wisconsin (18-21, 44-63) jumped over LumberKings (15-23, 46-59) starter Steven Ridings for a run in the bottom of the first inning. Joantgel Segovia singled to start the night and was followed by a Zach Clark double to left. Keston Hiura drove home Segovia for the first run of the game with an RBI ground out to short.
Clinton answered the Timber Rattlers run with their only run of the night in the top of the second inning. Nick Zammarelli III doubled with one man out, off Timber Rattlers starter Drake Owenby. Gareth Morgan then drew a walk and Nick Thurman singled to right to load the bases. Billy Cooke then scored Zamamrelli with a sacrifice fly to right that tied the game.
Clinton would threaten again off Wisconsin reliever Thomas Jankins in the seventh and eighth innings. The LumberKings loaded the bases in the seventh and put runners at third and first in the eighth only to be turned away by Jankins (7-6) each time.
Jankins earned the win for Wisconsin with four innings of relief in which he allowed no runs while walking two and striking out three.
In the bottom of the eighth, the Timber Rattlers broke the tie against LumberKings reliver Time Viehoff. Weston Wilson reached to start the inning on a Jhombeyker Morales error, his second of the game. Viehoff (1-6) then departed with Wilson at second and one out, turning the ball over to Wyatt Mills. Wilson scored the game deciding run when Ronnie Gideon bounced a ball to first that Nick Thurman fielded but threw away, his second error of the game.
The error plagued eighth was part of a four-error game by the LumberKings. Despite the game deciding run scoring in the eighth, Viehoff was hung with the loss.
The LumberKings will play game two of their three-game series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday night. Left-handed pitcher Nick Wells (4-8, 6.26) will take the ball for Clinton and face the Timber Rattler tight-handed pitcher Braden Webb (4-5, 4.66). Game time is slated for 7:05 PM (C.D.T.) with the pregame show on 100.3 FM WCCI beginning at 6:50 PM, Erik Oas will be on the call.
The LumberKings return to Ashford University Field on Saturday, August 5 with a four-game home stand against the Peoria Chiefs. Saturday and Sunday of the home stand feature giveaways before the game and Saturday's festivities will conclude with a post-game concert performance from Slough Boys.
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