Dayton Dragons at Clinton Lumberkings
April 16th, 2004
| Dayton |
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0 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
1 |
1 |
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0 |
0 |
1 |
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3 |
8 |
1 |
| Clinton |
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0 |
0 |
0 |
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2 |
0 |
0 |
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0 |
0 |
0 |
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2 |
5 |
2 |
E-Urgelles, Swope, Cunningham, LOB DAY-9, CLI-4, 2B-Conley, Frostad, Swope, HR-Richardson, SB-Kinsler, Grayson, CS-Olmstead
WP-Cunningham, SO-Richardson, BB-Wishy, Dickerson 2, Olmstead, Votto
U-Jesse Redwine
T-2:48, A-2,358
Clinton Herald
by Jon Gremmels
Only one thing could spoil a gorgeous opening night of Midwest League baseball Friday at Allient Energy Field. And that one thing, a loss, wasn't even that terrible.
"It was almost perfect, except for the results," Clinton catcher Kevin Richardson said after the LumberKings lost 3-2 to Dayton in front of 2,358 fams on an 80 degree evening. The loss evened Clinton's record to 4-4.
Richardson drove in both Clinton runs with a fourth inning home run, but the Lumberkings couldn't muster much offense against three Dayton pitchers who combined to stike out 16 batters in a five hit effort.
"They did a good job of hitting spots," Richardson said. "When they shut us down like that you've got to tip your hats to them."
Dayton starter Luis Noriega allowed two hits over the first four innings for the Dragons, who like Clinton employ a piggyback system that utilizes a tandem of pitchers who rotate starts and long relief outings and are limited to about 75 pitches every four games. Josh Thigpen (1-1) added four innings of three hit relief during which he struck out nine batters, and David Shafer pitched the ninth inning to earn his second save.
"I thought we took too many pitches and swung at some bad pitches." Clinton manager Carlos Subero said.
A key example of that came in the bottom of the ninth inning after Andrew Wishy worked a 10 pitch wallk to lead off the inning. Richardson followed with a strikeout and Larry Grayson hit into a game ending double play. "Richardson has 10 RBI but wasn't able to make him elevate the ball and went fishing (on a 1-2 pitch)," Subero said. "Grayson also went after a slider down there."
Dayton, on the other hand came through when it needed a run in the top of half of the ninth inning. For the third game in a row, Luis Bolivar was the hero for the Dragons.
Bolivar, who hit a walk off three run home run Thursday and also drove in the winning run in the second game of a doubleheader Wednesday, hit a ground ball to the right side Friday that got past second baseman Tobin Swope for an error that scored the go ahead run with two outs in the ninth.
"When we had the chance to win the game, I though, OK, I have to do it." said Bolivar, who admitted his confidence has riden in the past three days after getting off to an 0 for 16 start to the season. "I don't know if it's good luck or what. I'm happy because I helped the team."
The winning run came after Clinton appeared to have gotten out of trouble in the inning. Walter Olmstead led off with a walk off Craig Frydendall (0-1) but was thrown out trying to steal second base. Evan Conley followed with a strikeout, but Jeff Urgelles the No. 9 batter, singled to keep the inning alive and Chris Dickerson (2 for 3, plus two walks), walked to put runner on first and second. Bolivar followed with a bouncing ball to Swope's left and Swope was unable to come up with it. Urgelles beat Dane Bubela's throw to the plate to put Dayton ahead 3-2. "It was a tough play because the ball stayed down on him," Dayton manager Alonzo Powell said. "It looked like a routine play, and it ended up going into right field". Subero said. "We were just a play away."
Powell would probably argue that it was simply the Dragons getting some justice. They battled back from a 2-0 deficit, scoring single runs in the fourth, fifth and ninth innings.
But in Powell's view they never should have been behind. That's because he thought Richardson's towering two run home run in the third inning which followed a two out walk by Wishy, was a foul ball. He was unable to convice home plate umpire Jesse Redwine of that however.
For his part, Richardson wasn't sure. "I hit it and started running and hoping. he said.
Dayton pulled within 2-1 in the next half inning when Olmstead singled with one out and scored on Conley's double. The Dragons pulled even in the fifth when Joey Votto led off with a walk, moved to third base on Ryan Fry's single to right field and scored on a wild pitch by Tim Cunningham.
Subero wasn't overly concered about losing the home opener however. "We went 4-3 on the road, and you have to like that." he said. "We got off to a 3-0 start and colled off a but, but that's not a concern."
Notes
Clinton general manager Ted Tornow had no complaints about opening night, either. "This is definitely the best opener (in his time at Clinton) from our standpoint: it's just unfortunate we didn't win." he said. "I expected a good crowd with this weather, but not this good."
Richardson said more great game shoud await Lumberkings fans. "I think we've got a really good group." said Richardson. who started last season in Clinton but spent most of the year at Spokane in the Northwest League. "This homestand is a good chance to get going and get after some teams."
The eight game homestand continues with 2pm games today and Sunday at Allient Energy Field. Matt Lorenzo (1-0, 1.13) is scheduled to pitch for Clinton against Dayton's Tyler Pelland (0-0, 0.00)