Game notes 8/22; Bats vs. the Bees, Zam streak stretched, & Thurman’s homer
Today’s Preview: The Clinton LumberKings (A, Mariners) meet the Burlington Bees (A, Angels) for the fourth time during the 2017 season. The LumberKings trail the all-time series 409–428, dating back to 1962, and trail against Burlington, 72–78, since the LumberKings became a Seattle Mariners affiliate in 2009. The LumberKings dropped two of three in Burlington in their first visit at Community Field this season. In two meetings this season, at Ashford University Field the LumberKings went 3–4 against the Bees. Clinton dropped three of four May 18 through May 21. In the second meeting in Clinton the LumberKings took two of three from the Bees July 4 through July 6.
LumberKings Starter: Ljay Newsome, 20, makes his 23 appearance and start of the season for the Clinton LumberKings. The Maryland native, has strung together three strong starts each of his last times out. In his most recent outing he lasted seven innings against the Kane County Cougars allowing two runs on six hits while walking none and striking out six. The star was Newsome third straight without allowing a walk. A lack of walks and base runners have been a theme for Newsome this season. He enters tonight’s game as the second stingiest player in the Midwest League when it comes to issuing walks. Newsome ranks just behind Clark Beeker of Cedar Rapids, now promoted, with a ratio of 1.21 walks issued per nine innings work. He also ranks fourth in the league in base runners allowed over nine innings, 10.56. Newsome was selected by the Seattle Mariners 26ht round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of Chopticon high school where he lead his school a Maryland 3A state championship.
Bees Starter: Chris Rodriguez, 19, makes his fourth appearance and start of the season for the Burlington Bees. The Miami Florida native, took the loss his last time out against the Cedar Rapids Kernels. He worked five innings allowing five runs, all earned, on nine hits while walking one and striking out two. Rodriguez began his 2017 season with Orem Owlz of the Pioneer League. He was then promoted to Burlington on August 3rd and made his Bees debut against the Kane County Cougars. The Angels took Rodriguez in the fourth round of the 2016 MLB Draft out of high school where his fastball regularly clocked in the mid-90’s which works off a slider, curveball, and cutter. The Angles believe that he can be a pitcher who regularly reaches the upper 90’s with his fastball.
Last Time Out: Gareth Morgan and Nick Thurman each homered in a Clinton LumberKings 7–6 win over the Peoria Chiefs at Dozer Park on Monday afternoon. Thurman’s three run blast in the top of the fifth inning proved to be the decisive blow as the LumberKings (25–32, 56–68) split a four-game series with the Chiefs (30–27, 60–66). The game see-sawed back and forth through the first five innings. Following a 35-minute rain delay, the Chiefs scored first on a Brian O’Keefe solo home run in the bottom of the first inning off LumberKings starter Danny Garcia. Garcia (7–11) earned the win for Clinton going five plus innings of work but allowing six runs, five earned, on 10 hits while walking none and striking out three. The lefty allowed the Chiefs to score in all but one of his innings out. Ryan McCarvel gave Peoria their second lead of the game with a two-run home run to center. The long fly was his 15th of the season and would be the final lead of the game for the Chiefs. Clinton scored their first runs of the game in the top of the second inning. Three of the Chiefs four errors came in the inning with two on the same play. The defensive miscues led to three LumberKings runs, and their first lead of the game.
August Rush: Tim Viehoff continued his strong work out of the LumberKings bullpen with 1.1 shutout innings on Firday night. Viehoff, despite owning a loss in the month of August, has now not allowed an earned run in 12.1 innings of work this month. He now owns a streak of 17.1 innings without allowing an earned run.
Getting on base: Nick Zammarelli extended his current on-base streak to 12 games with a three hit day on Sunday afternoon. The 12-game stretch is the second longest of the season by Zammarelli and the longest current streak by a LumberKing.
Bats ZZZZ: Clinton’s offense has yet to wake up against he Burlington Bees. As a team, the LumberKings are hitting .212 (72/339). Only one current LumberKing is hitting over .300 against the Bees, Billy Cooke who would not qualify as he is 1-for-3. Of the three home runs of the LumberKings against the Bees this season, none are from current players. Luis Liberato, 2, has since been promoted and Luis Rengifo, 1, since traded to the Tampa Rays and playing with the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
First in awhile: In a back and forth win over the Peoria Chiefs the LumberKings rode a pair of home runs to a come from behind win. One game from a likely source, Gareth Morgan hitting his 15th home run of the season. But the game’s decisive blow game from Nick Thurman, a three-run home run, that was his first home run since June 30.
This date in baseball history: On this date in 1965, San Francisco’s Juan Marichal, batting against Los Angeles’ Sandy Koufax, complains that catcher Johnny Roseboro’s return throws are too close. He then turns and attacks Roseboro with his bat. A 14-minute brawl ensues before Koufax, Willie Mays, and other peacemakers can restore order. Roseboro suffers a considerable cut on the head. Juan Marichal is suspended eight playing days and levied a National League-record $1,750 fine.
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.”
