Game Notes 7/30; Shutout in complete game gem & today’s probables
Today’s Preview: The Clinton LumberKings (A, Mariners) meet the Cedar Rapids Kernels (A, Twins) for the fifth and final time during the 2017 season. The LumberKings trail the all-time series 430–459, dating back to 1962, and trail against Cedar Rapids 66–81, since the LumberKings became a Seattle Mariners affiliate in 2009. The LumberKings spilt the first meeting of the season in Cedar Rapids May 22–25 and then took two of three in Ashford University Field June 6–8. In their last two meetings the LumberKings lost three of four in Cedar Rapids and in Clinton in their last meeting June 30-July 3.
LumberKings Starter: Ryne Inman 21, makes his third appearance and second start of the season for the Clinton LumberKings. The Parkview, Georgia native made his first start as a LumberKings this season his last time out. He lasted just 3.1 innings in road start against the Lake County Captains and took the loss for allowing six runs on six hits while walking three and striking out two as well as hitting one batter. Inman made seven appearances with the Everett Aquasox including six starts. His last outing with Everett came on July 16, in Eugene a start in which he took the loss for four innings of work in which he allowed five runs, all earned, on nine hits while walking one and striking out three. Inman was drafted by the Mariners in the 15th round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of Parkview High School where he led his school to back-to-back state semifinals appearances.
Kernels Starter: Anthony Marzi, 24, makes his fifth appearance and start of the season for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. Marzi is coming off his first loss of the season his last time out. In seven innings against the Lansing Lugnuts at home he allowed three runs, one earned, on six hits while walking none and striking out none. He made his debut Twins organization debut against the LumberKings on July 3rd and earned the win. This is his second career start against the LumberKings. The Connecticut native began his professional career in the New York Yankees organization where he made five bullpen appearances for the Gulf Coast League Yankees. Marzi was then released and pitched for two seasons with the New Britain Bees in the Atlantic League during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. Before his professional career, he pitched for the Huskies of UCon. In high school, he set a school record for strikeouts in a single game with 18 and played football in addition to playing baseball. He was signed by the New York Yankees as an undrafted free agent in 2015. His signing by the Minnesota Twins this season was in response to the rash of injuries experienced by the Kernels staff. He is best known in baseball circles for an outing in 2013 in the Big East Championship Game against Notre Dame when he threw nine innings and allowed one run on four hits in a Huskies 8–1 win.
Last Time Out: Clark Beeker turned in the strongest start of the season against the Clinton LumberKings, throwing nine shutout innings to give the Cedar Rapids Kernels a 2–0 win on Saturday night at Veterans Memorial Stadium at Perfect Game Field. Clinton (14–21, 45–57) tallied just five hits in the game off Beeker (10–3) who did not allow the LumberKings to recorded more than one hit in the same inning. The only extra base hit of the game belonged to Clinton. Gareth Morgan lined a ball off the base of the left field wall for a second inning double but went no further. The LumberKings failed to get a runner past second during the game. The Kernels (16–19, 55–50) received all their offense from Joe Cronin. The Cedar Rapids shortstop drove home both of the Kernels runs. In the bottom of the third inning, Cronin singled home Christian Cavaness for the game’s first run. In the bottom of the fifth, LumberKings starter, Nick Wells allowed the final run of the game. Gorge Munoz singled with one out in the inning and moved to third on a combination wild pitch and single. Cronin then lifted a ball to left field for a sacrifice fly.
Western Divison Swan Song: The LumberKings meet the Kernels for the final time during the 2017 season. The LumberKings just concluded a three-game series with the Quad Cities River Bandits which was the final meeting with them for 2017. With more than a month to play the LumberKings will not play Cedar Rapids or Quad Cities again until 2018.
Going the Distance: Saturday night’s loss to Cedar Rapids was made possible by Clark Beeker’s phenomenal performance on the mound. The righty went the distance in nine-inning complete game shutout of the LumberKings, the first time this season a complete game has been thrown against the LumberKings this year.
Organizational Leader: Luis Rengifo ranks tied for third in the Midwest League leader for stolen bases with 27. The LumberKings speedster ranks even higher in the Mariners farm system when it comes to stolen bases. Coming into Saturday’s game he has the second most steals in the Mariners organization, trailing only Ian Miller of the Tacoma Rainiers who has 31.
The Century Mark: The completion of Thursday night’s doubleheader makes it 100 games played by the LumberKings this season. The teams 44–56 record through 100 games pales in comparison to the 61–39 mark the 2016 LumberKings had on their way to setting a franchise record for wins. The best record in club history 100 games through the season was 68–32 set by the 1963 team.
This date in baseball history: On this date in 1951, retired Hall of Famer Ty Cobb testifies in front of Emanuel Celler’s Congressional committee in Washington, D.C. The ‘Georgia Peach’ denies the reserve clause makes ‘peons’ out of baseball players and says that it is necessary to keep the competitive balance in the game.
Broadcast Information: All games will be broadcast live on 100.3 FM WCCI and online at LumberKings.com via the TuneIn Radio App with Erik Oas, in his first season as the “Voice of the LumberKings.”
