Wells shines in Clinton 8-2 series winner

Burlington, IA (June 7, 2018) - Nick Wells turned in his team leading fifth quality start of the season and Greifer Andrade and Ryan Costello homered in an 8-2 Clinton LumberKings win over the Burlington Bees at Community Field on Thursday night. Andrade led the way for Clinton (33-26) at the plate with a 3-for-5 night that included a home run, a double, and three RBI.
The LumberKings raced out to an early lead against Bees (25-35) starter Jose Soriano with a three-run rally in the top of the first inning. Ariel Sandoval walked with one out and was followed two pitches later by a Jack Larsen RBI double to center field. Costello then walked and Andrade followed two batters later with a two out two-run double down the line in left.
Soriano (0-1) lasted just three innings in his 2018 season debut. All three of the runs he allowed came across in the first inning and he was hung with the loss for his time out.
Clinton continued to add on following Soriano's departure. The LumberKings tallied another run in the fourth without the benefit of a hit and then broke out for two more runs in the top of the sixth inning. Three straight hits by Andrade, Louis Boyd, and Nick Thurman plated the first run of the inning and a Joseph Rosa sacrifice fly to right capped the rally to make it 6-0 Clinton.
In the top of the seventh, Costello added another run to the LumberKings lead with a solo home run. The big fly was his team leading ninth of the season and went out to the opposite field in left.
The offense was more then enough for LumberKings starter Nick Wells who logged 6.1 innings and held the Bees to two seventh inning runs during his time out. Wells (4-3) struck out four while allowing just three hits and walked one to pick up his team leading fourth win of the season.
Andrade added his third RBI of the night in the top of the ninth with a long solo home run to left off Bees reliver Keda De La Cruz.
The win gives the LumberKings their fourth series win over their last five tries.
The LumberKings now head home to open a five-game series with the Kane County Cougars to be played over four days starting on Friday night. Clinton will throw right-handed pitcher Clay Chandler (2-1, 3.52) while the Cougars will counter with lefty Mack Lemieux (1-4, 4.73). First pitch is scheduled for 6:30 PM. Fans looking to listen to the game can hear Erik Oas on the call on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at lumberkings.com via the tune in radio ap at 6:15 PM with the pregame show.
Friday will be Star Wars night at Ashford University Field with a "Han Sego" (Kyle Seager) Seattle Mariners / Star Wars themed bobblehead giveaway! Arrive early as the first 500 fans through the gates will receive this special giveaway!
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, 280 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