Published: July 02, 2009 02:52 am      

Late Wisconsin triple dooms LumberKings

Herald staff report

APPLETON, Wis. — After taking a lead on Kris Sanchez’s RBI triple to the right-field corner in the sixth inning, the Clinton LumberKings fell on a triple by Brock Kjeldgaard in the seventh as the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers won 4-3 at Time Warner Cable Field.

Sanchez belted a solo home run to right-center in the third and added his triple in the fifth, helping the LumberKings take a 3-2 lead after trailing 2-0.

However, Clinton reliever Blake Nation gave up a seeing-eye single to Peter Fatse, sending Derrick McPhearson home in the sixth inning and then also served up the triple to Kjeldgaarrd. Only one of the two runs was earned to Nation (1-2), as Nate Tenbrink committed a crucial error to keep the sixth inning going.

Clinton had chances to score the tying run against Wily Peralta in the seventh inning . Luis Nunez reached on a wild pitch and stole second. He tried to swipe third as well with Scott Savastano at the plate, but was thrown out by catcher Sean McCraw.

In the eighth inning, the Kings put runners at second and third with one out, when Denny Almonte reached on a fielder’s choice and Tenbrink drew a walk. Both moved into scoring position on a throwing error by McCraw. Pinch-hitter Jake Shaffer struck out swinging against Peralta and Ogui Diaz grounded out to second to end the threat.

Peralta (3-1) struck out two of the three batters he faced in the ninth for the win.

Clinton starter Maikel Cleto allowed a pair of runs on four hits over 3 1/3 innings in his second start with Clinton. The Timber Rattlers scored both runs in the first on RBI doubles by Corey Kemp and John Delaney.

Sanchez finished 2-for-3 with his first triple and seventh home run for the LumberKings, driving in his 30th and 31st RBI. Diaz added an RBI on an infield single in the fourth.