Published: May 21, 2008 10:56 am            

LumberKings bounce back to beat Beloit 4-2

CLINTON — The Clinton LumberKings got back on the winning track Monday night as they beat the Beloit Snappers 4-2 at Alliant Energy Field.

Monday’s game also marked the first time that LumberKing first baseman Ian Gac has played since getting hit by a foul ball in Beloit.

“I’m glad to be back I’ve been off for a while. I felt good at the plate but it takes time to get my timing down” said Gac.

Gac went 0-for-4 and had four strike outs in the game. Even with out playing in five games Gac is still third in home runs in the minor leagues with 14.

Derek Holland picked up his fourth win of the season extending his record to 4-0. Holland gave up one earned run and struck out three Snappers and gave up no walks.

“I didn’t feel as comfortable as I normally do but I needed my teammates who helped me out” said Holland. “Today I mainly used my change up, I start off with my fast ball and once I get that established then we work from there.”

The LumberKings got on the board early. Engel Beltre started the inning off with a single to right and got into scoring position when he stole second.

Renny Osuna had a productive out by grounding out to first and moving Beltre to third. Tim Smith collected his 33rd RBI of the season as he singled home Beltre on a line single to right.

The LumberKings put a crooked number on the board in the fourth.

With one out, Jonathan Greene would get his ninth double of the season to deep center field.

Greene moved to third on a wild pitch by Beloit starter Daniel Berlind. Mitch Moreland would eventually walk.

Jose Felix got his 10th RBI and fourth double of the season by ripping one down the left field line scoring Greene sending Moreland to third.

Moreland would score when Beloit first baseman Gregory Yersich couldn’t handle a ground ball from Jacob Kaase giving the L-Kings the 3-0 lead. Miguel Alfonzo connected on the third double of the inning from the LumberKings that scored Felix easily from third. Beltre would pop to the Yersich for the third out.

Beloit would get on the board in the fifth with two outs. On a 2-2 count, Yersich singled to center and Ramon Santana tripled down the right field line, cutting the LumberKing lead to three.

In the sixth, Beloit tacked on another run.

With one out, Chris Cates the smallest player in the Midwest League (5’3) would double to right and move to third on a passed ball.

Garrett Olson popped out for the second out of the inning. Jair Fernandez would single to right scoring to Cates.

With a 4-2 lead, the LumberKing bullpen slammed the door on the Snappers going a combined three shutout innings and only giving up one hit.

Jorge Quintero came on in the seventh and pitched two perfect innings.

“He was throwing the ball real well. We wanted to let him go out for the ninth but wanted him to go out on a positive note. Every once in a while you’ll have a bad outing and it was good to see bounce back” said Mike Micucci of Quintero.

Ryan Tatusko picked up his first save of the season going one inning of relief work.

The LumberKings had lost the previous game 6-5 in late fashion and LumberKing skipper Mike Micucci was impressed. “We’ve done it all year and it’s a mark of a good ball club we got key hits when we needed too and had great pitching.” “Last night we stranded a bunch of base runners, it was good for us to bounce back because they have a good ball club over there” said Micucci.

Tonight Blake Beavan will make his fifth professional start. Beavan comes in with a 2-1 record with a 4.50 ERA. His last start came last Friday as he received a no decision against the Cedar Rapids Kernels.

Brian Kirwan will make the start for the Snappers. Kirwan has compiled a 3-1 record with an ERA of 3.68. Game time will be 7 p.m.

        

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