Game notes 8/24; August rush, Ridings night, & Shutout wins

**COMPLETE GAME NOTES**

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 411–428, dating back to 1962, and trail against Burlington, 74–78, 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: Nick Wells, 21, makes his 22 appearance and start of the season for the Clinton LumberKings. The Virginia native, lasted just 3.2 innings his last time out against Peoria Chiefs in Peoria. The lefty allowed six runs on five hits while walking two and striking out two. Wells allowed the only grand slam of the season to Stefan Trosclair, still the LumberKings rallied to beat the Chiefs 6–2. Wells has worked exclusively out of the LumberKings rotation this year and has been with Clinton since opening day. Minus a brief stint on the disabled list, with lower back tightness, Wells has been in the starting rotation for since the beginning of the season. Originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 3rd round of the 2014 MLB Draft Wells was traded into the Mariners farm system on July 31, 2015 in a four-player trade that sent RHP Mark Lowe.

Bees Starter: Andre Vinson, 23, makes his 23 appearance and start of the season for the Burlington Bees. The Lewisville Texas native, earned the win his last time his time out for a five-inning outing against the Kane County Cougars in Kane County. Vinson allowed no runs during his time out and held the Cougars to a single hit while walked one and striking out five. A Texas A&M product he was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels in the 10th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. In college, Vinson majored in Sport Management and plans to become a sports agent or physical therapist after baseball. In his free time he is said to be an avid ping pong and disc golf player. In addition to being a standout pitcher in high school he batted .472 with three home runs and 18 stolen bases during his junior year. His prowess at the plate made him a two-way player during his freshman season at Texas A&M before committing to pitching in his sophomore year.

Last Time Out: Stephen Ridings threw a career-high 7.2 innings for the Clinton LumberKings in a 1–0 win over the Burlington Bees on Wednesday night at Community Field. Nick Zammarelli and Joe Rizzo each registered their 100th hits of the season in the LumberKings (27–32, 58–68) second shutout win of the season over Burlington (25–34, 56–72). Clinton led throughout the game scoring the game’s only run in the top of the first inning. Elvis Rodriguez made his season debut for the Bees and pitched himself into trouble during the opening frame of the game. Joe Rizzo reached with one out on an error and moved to second on a Yojhan Quevedo single. Nick Zammarelli then punched an RBI single to left to score Rizzo and register his 100th hit of the season. Rodriguez (0–1) then settle down to work five innings for Burlington, but would be hung with the loss for allowing an unearned run on seven hits while walking none and striking out six. Steven Ridings took the 1–0 lead he was given in the first and made it hold up over his strongest start of his professional career. The Bees tallied just four hits off Ridings who surrendered more than one hit in an inning just once. Ridings walked one and struck out seven and was awarded his first win as a LumberKing.

3 for the road: The road has been unkind to the LumberKings this season. Entering the series finale with the Burlington Bees Clinton is 27–39 away from Ashford University Field, this despite winning their third straight win on the road. The stretch is tied for the longest road winning streak this season, something the LumberKings have now done three times.

A blip on the radar: Wednesday’s 1–0 Clinton win was one of the rarest of the year for the LumberKings as it game when the team scored less than three runs. It marked just the second time this year that Clinton won on the road when scoring less than three runs they are now 2–33 in such scenarios.

Pitching for the win: Steven Ridings three a professional career-high 7.2 innings on Wednesday night to earn his first win as a LumberKing. The dominate pitching performance, combined with Wyatt Mills 1.1 shutout innings of relive work, marked the first LumberKings first shutout win since July 17 in a 1–0 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Ashford University Field.

Century Club: Nick Zammarelli became just the second LumberKing this season reach 100 hits when he drove in the only run of the 1–0 win on Wednesday. Joe Rizzo followed three innings in the fourth inning with his 100th hit of the season. Three LumberKings now have 100 hits on the year, Rizzo, Zammarelli, and Bryson Brigman.

August rush: Wednesday’s win was the 11th of the month for the LumberKings who are threating to do something they have not done this season and finish month at or above .500. The team is now 11–11 during the month of the August with an impressive 8–6 mark on the road.

This date in baseball history: On this date in 1951, a thousand fans behind the Browns dugout are given yes and no signs to vote on decisions to be made by the coaching staff. Owner Bill Veeck’s idea appears to work as St. Louis beats the A’s, 5–3. Ned Garver picks up the win.

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.”

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Clinton LumberKings

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Class-A Affiliate of the Seattle Mariners & Charter Member of the Midwest League

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