Results tagged ‘ Highlights ’
Tonight’s Interview: Nate Reed
For the first time this season, your LumberKings have a share of first place. Yes, they’re still 25-46 overall, but with a second-half-opening 5-4 win over the Burlington Bees last night, the Kings are in a four-way tie for first in the West Division.
It didn’t come easy, and it didn’t come without a few breaks going Clinton’s way. Trailing 3-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth and looking farely overmatched against hard-throwing Bees’ right-hander Pedro Vidal, the Kings looked headed to another close loss at the hands of Burlington. Stefen Romero ended Vidal’s string of seven-straight batters retired with a flare single to right-center, and Matt Browning reached on a dropped pop-up by recent Midwest League “Star of Stars” winner, Bees’ second-baseman Nino Leyja. The window of opportunity opened as Mickey Wiswall cut the deficit to 3-2 with a Texas League RBI single to right, and things just got downright odd as Wiswall was caught in an apparent inning-ending rundown between first and second, only to be given second base upon Eddie Menchaca’s appeal to the umpires that Tim Morris had actually been hit by the low-and-in pitch.
That sudden reversal of fortunes put the Bees’ defense back on the diamond (they had gone into the dugout and stayed there in the midst of manager Aaron Niekula’s rebuttal) and brought up Steven Baron, who drilled Vidal’s 1-0 pitch down the third-base line to score Browning and Wiswall (listen: Baron Go-Ahead 2-Run Double 6.24.11). Kalian Sams then grounded towards All-Star shortstop Yordy Cabrera, but Cabrera booted it, sending Morris home for a 5-3 Clinton advantage.
Left-hander Nate Reed (pictured) would have been a bright spot no matter what the final outcome, given his season-high seven strikeouts (including three-straight against Burlington’s 4-5-6 spots in the eighth) over 2.1 innings last night. Despite giving up Royce Consigli’s third RBI double of the night in the ninth, Reed closed down the game for his first win with the LumberKings.
And so, he’s my interview guest tonight. We talk about last night’s outing, his setup role in the bullpen, his long path to the pros (including three seasons at the University of Pittsburgh, a 20th round selection by the Chicago White Sox and one season at Kutztown University) and more.
Listen Here: Reed Interview 6.25.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.25.11 kingsnotes
Roster Move: With right-hander George Mieses coming off the disabled list tonight to make the start, someone had to go. That turned out to be right-hander Stephen Kohlscheen, who was shipped to short-A Everett.
Starting Lineups:
Burlington Bees (0-1, 45-26): Royce Consigli/LF, Jose Crisotomo/CF, Tony Thompson/3B, A.J. Kirby-Jones/1B, Josh Whitaker/DH, Douglas Landaeta/RF, Yordy Cabrera/SS, Nino Leyja/2B, John Nester/C, Nate Long/RHP
LumberKings (1-0, 25-46): Stefen Romero/DH, Julio Morban/CF, Matt Browning/3B, Mickey Wiswall/1B, Kevin Rivers/LF, Steven Baron/C, Kalian Sams/RF, Jetsy Extrano/2B, Anthony Phillips/SS, George Mieses/RHP
First pitch is at 6:00 PM on this “Stay Late Saturday”, listen to the broadcast on 1390kcln.com.
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Tonight’s Interview: Rick Waits
After allowing a career-high five earned runs in his previous start, it’s clear that left-hander James Paxton had a rebound outing last night against Quad Cities. He set a new career high with 13 strikeouts and yielded just one run on four hits over 6.1 innings as the LumberKings beat the River Bandits, 5-1 at Alliant Energy Field. Paxton struck out six-straight batters at one point in the game (listen: Paxton 11th Strikeout 6.16.11), but left in the seventh with the bases loaded and one out. Right-hander Tyler Burgoon came on and left them loaded as he induced a highlight-reel double play started by second-baseman Jorge Agudelo (listen: Agudelo Flip to Ramirez for DP 6.16.11). Burgoon did not allow a run over 2.2 innings to secure his seventh save, making Paxton a winner for the third time. Mickey Wiswall had the clutch hit of the night, singling home two runs to open up a 4-1 lead in the fourth (listen: Wiswall 2-R single 6.16.11).
The efforts for K-Pax and Burgoon were well-timed as they took place in front of Mariners’ Minor League Pitching Coordinator Rick Waits. After coaching for 15 seasons with the New York Mets (including 2003 as their Major League Bullpen Coach), Waits has inherited a minor league system chock full of potential impact arms. Waits is my pregame guest tonight, and he shares plenty of his own insight into Paxton, tonight’s starter Taijuan Walker, Burgoon and the Clinton bullpen, former LumberKing and current Tacoma Rainier right-hander Blake Beavan and how close he is to a Seattle call-up, the outstanding arms in double-A Jackson including Andrew Carraway, Erasmo Ramirez, Anthony Vasquez, Kenn Kasparek and Tom Wilhelmsen and more. It’s definitely a worthy listen.
Listen Here: Rick Waits (Minor League Pitching Coord) Interview 6.17.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.17.11 kingsnotes
Today’s Roster Move: Despite the potential game-saving play last night, Agudelo has been sent to short-A Everett to clear space for infielder Shaver Hansen, who has been reinstated from the DL and will play tonight in Kane County.
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (22-45): Julio Morban/CF, Mickey Wiswall/1B, Tim Morris/D, Matt Browning/3B, Kalian Sams/RF, Shaver Hansen/2B, Robbie Anston/LF, Billy Marcoe/C, Anthony Phillips/SS, Taijuan Walker/RHP
Kane County Cougars (27-39): Angel Franco/2B, Ryan Stovall/3B, Brett Eibner/CF, Brian Fletcher/LF, Jake Kuebler/1B, Geulin Beltre/DH, Orlando Calixte/SS, Travis Jones/C, Julio Aparicio/RF, Leonel Santiago/RHP
First pitch is at 7:00 PM here at Elfstrom Stadium, listen to the broadcast on 1390kcln.com.
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Tonight’s Interview: Carlton Tanabe
The LumberKings fell 9-5 last night as Quad Cities scored five times in the ninth to break a 5-5 tie. The winning run scored as Michael Swinson came home on a two-out bases-loaded wild pitch by Jonathan Arias. Cody Stanley followed with a three-run double to put the game out of reach.
Clinton had overcome a 5-2 deficit with a three-run fourth inning after a 38-minute rain delay. Carlton Tanabe started the two-out rally with an RBI double to left-center off Rock Falls, IL native Seth Blair. He’d later score on a single by Julio Morban, who would in turn score on a single to center by Mickey Wiswall (listen: Wiswall RBI single 6.15.11). The Kings scored five total runs against Blair, including two on a first-inning homer by Stefen Romero (listen: Romero 2-R HR (#4) 6.15.11), his first since April 30.
My interview tonight is with Tanabe, fresh off his 2-for-4 game. The 24th round pick out of Pearl City, Hawaii has been Steven Baron’s back-up this season but is now getting a chance to play with Baron on the DL. We talk about last night’s double, staying productive despite playing sparingly, getting an opportunity to start, his experience with former Mariners’ catcher Dan Wilson earlier this year, being the other half of the Hawaiian battery with Keli’i Zablan and more.
Listen Here: Tanabe Interview 6.16.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.16.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
Quad Cities River Bandits (37-28): Michael Swinson/LF, Ronny Gil/SS, Oscar Taveras/RF, Starlin Rodriguez/2B, Cody Stanley/C, Nick Longmire/CF, Victor Sanchez/DH, Jonathan Rodriguez/3B, Geoff Klein/1B, Trevor Rosenthal/RHP
LumberKings (21-45): Julio Morban/CF, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Tim Morris/1B, Matt Browning/3B, Kevin Rivers/RF, Jorge Agudelo/2B, Carlos Ramirez/SS, Robbie Anston/LF, Carlton Tanabe/C, James Paxton/LHP
Lefty James Paxton makes his final start before the 2011 Midwest League All-Star Game tonight and is looking to snap Clinton’s five-game losing streak. Paxton gave up a career-high five earned runs over 5.1 innings in his last start against Bowling Green, but is still 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA and 54 strikeouts over his last seven starts.
The broadcast begins at 6:45 PM, listen online at 1390kcln.com.
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Tonight’s Interview: Kevin Rivers
The LumberKings entered the sixth inning of last night’s game against Dayton having not scored in 20-straight innings against Dragons’ pitching. Tim Morris and Kalian Sams reached on singles and Kevin Rivers approached the plate to face Dragons’ righty Daniel Corcino with Clinton still trailing, 3-0. He delievered the game-changing hit, poking a two-run double down the left-field line to cut the deficit to 3-2 (listen: Rivers 2-R double 6.9.11). The Kings would tie the score in the seventh as Matt Browning doubled and scored on a throwing error by pitcher Daniel Wolford, and Morris drove in the game-winning runs with a triple to right-center. Later in the same inning, Rivers executed a safety squeeze bunt to get Morris home. The five-run seventh turned the game completely around, giving the LumberKings a 7-4 win over the Dragons for their third-straight series victory.
Rivers finished 2-for-3 with a season-high-tying three RBI in the win and has a hit in six-straight games. Tonight, I chat with Rivers, a man who went from 2009 non-drafted free agent out of Franklin Pierce University to the 2010 Offensive Player of the Year for Northwest League Champion Everett. Rivers discuses the game last night, his uncommon path to the Mariners’ system, his successful 2010 season in Everett, his time with Clinton so far and more.
Listen Here: Rivers Interview 6.10.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.10.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
Bowling Green Hot Rods (33-28): Cody Rogers/RF, Hector Guevara/2B, Phil Wunderlich/1B, Julio Cedeno/3B, Derek Dietrich/SS, Todd Glaesmann/DH, Nick Schwaner/LF, Alejandro Torres/C, Kevin Kiermaier/CF, George Jensen/RP
LumberKings (21-40): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Tim Morris/1B, Kalian Sams/RF, Kevin Rivers/LF, Jabari Blash/CF, Matt Browning/3B, Anthony Phillips/SS, Carlton Tanabe/C, James Paxton/LHP
The path to a fourth-straight series win starts tonight against the Hot Rods, first pitch scheduled for 7:00 PM. All-Star lefty James Paxton looks to continue his trend of dominance…”K-Pax” is 2-1 with a 1.67 ERA and 48 strikeouts over his last six starts, 32.1 innings. Join me for the broadcast on 1390kcln.com.
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Tonight’s Interview: Jandy Sena
The LumberKings carried over the road success in the opening game of a nine-game homestand last night, shutting out Dayton in a 1-0 win last night. Right-hander Taijuan Walker lasted only 2.0 innings in his seventh start of the season as a result of a high early pitch count, but right-handers Jandy Sena and Jessie Nava picked him up, combining on 7.0 innings of one-hit baseball. The lone run came in the second inning when Carlos Ramirez deliverd a two-out RBI single to left scoring Kevin Rivers (listen: Ramirez RBI single 6.7.11).
Tonight, I catch up with Sena, the Cuban-born and Miami-raised right-hander and former first-baseman at Marion Military Institute. Sena was drafted by the Mariners in the 23rd round of last year’s draft and has already pitched as high as double-A Jackson this season. He talks about last night’s outing in relief of Walker, his stint with the Generals, his pitches, going to MMI and more.
Listen Here: Sena Interview 6.8.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.8.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
Dayton Dragons (28-30): Billy Hamilton/SS, Tucker Barnhart/C, Dominic D’Anna/D, Yorman Rodriguez/RF, Donald Lutz/1B, David Vidal/3B, Juan Duran/LF, Devin Lohman/2B, Jefry Sierra/CF, Josh Smith/RHP
LumberKings (20-39): Robbie Anston/CF, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Tim Morris/1B, Kalian Sams/RF, Jabari Blash/LF, Steven Baron/C, Jorge Agudelo/2B, Carlos Ramirez/3B, Anthony Phillips/SS, George Mieses/RHP
19-year-old right-hander George Mieses looks to finally get on track after going 0-4 with an 8.69 ERA in his last six starts. Join me for the broadcast beginning at 7:00 PM on 1390kcln.com.
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Today’s Interview: James Paxton (Vol. 2)
I’m forced to keep it brief today with a 1:00 PM eastern time start closing in fast as the LumberKings finish off the series and road trip today in Lake County. The LumberKings beat the Captains 7-2 last night behind a two-homer night from Mickey Wiswall (listen: Wiswall 2-R HR to Center, 2nd of game (#5) 6.4.11), another homer from Kalian Sams (listen: Sams 2-R HR (#7) 6.4.11) and five scoreless innings from left-hander James Paxton (listen: Paxton Strikes Out Gallas 6.4.11).
Paxton, just announced two days ago as Clinton’s lone All-Star representative, is 2-1 with a 1.39 ERA and 48 strikeouts over his last six outings dating back to his debut loss vs. Peoria. He’s most deserving of the All-Star nod as he’s now 2-2 with a 2.11 ERA over his first seven starts as a pro. “K-Pax” weighs in on last night’s outing including his hammer curveball that was the key to nine strikeouts, his thoughts on the All-Star selection and more.
Listen Here: Paxton Interview 6.5.11
Today’s Game Notes: 6.5.11 kingsnotes
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (18-39): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/LF, Tim Morris/1B, Kalian Sams/RF, Stefen Romero/3B, Steven Baron/C, Matt Browning/DH, Robbie Anston/CF, Anthony Phillips/SS, Forrest Snow/RHP
Lake County Captains (26-30): LeVon Washington/CF, Carlos Moncrief/RF, Giovanny Urshela/3B, Anthony Gallas/LF, Alex Monsalve/DH, Jesus Aguilar/1B, Alex Lavisky/C, Argenis Martinez/2B, Ronny Rodriguez/SS, Cole Cook/RHP
Forrest Snow starts for the 12th time today in search of some elusive run support and his second win. Last time the Snowman pitched at Classic Park, he was getting the win in relief of Game 4 of the MWLCS, sending us to a decisive Game 5. Today, he’ll be looking to secure Clinton’s second-straight series victory and a 5-1 road trip.
First pitch is at 12:00 PM central time, join me for the broadcast on 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Saturday Notes (6/4)
Well, there wasn’t nearly as much on the line this time around, but the LumberKings and Lake County Captains played another epic game at Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio last night with Clinton erasing a 4-0 lead with seven runs after the fifth inning onlyto fall 8-7 on a walk-off infield single by Alex Monsalve scoring LeVon Washington.
Kalian Sams belted his second two-run homer in as many games (listen: Sams 2-R HR (#6) 6.3.11), Carlton Tanabe doubled in two runs to tie the game (listen: Tanabe Game Tying 2-R Double 6.3.11) and Kevin Rivers added a solo home run in the eighth inning (listen: Rivers Game Tying Solo HR (#3) 6.3.11), re-tying the action at 8-8.
The LumberKings had a chance to take the lead in the top of the ninth as Washington dropped Mickey Wiswall’s routine fly ball to center with two on and nobody out, but pinch-runner Robbie Anston was thrown out at the plate by Washington attempting to score all the way from second base. That kept things tied for the Captains in the bottom of the ninth, and aided by one of seven Clinton errors, Washington singled and took second base. Another error on right-hander Tyler Burgoon put runners at the corners and Monsalve’s one-out grounder up the third-base line to Carlos Ramirez was enough to get Washington home.
Frustrating way to lose, especially since the LumberKings have had the breaks going their way on this road trip. It’s still a 3-1 trip so far and the series looks very winnable with All-Star left-hander James Paxton starting tonight and right-hander Forrest Snow starting on Sunday.
Yes, I said “All-Star”. In case you missed it, Paxton was named Clinton’s lone 2011 Midwest League All-Star yesterday by the league. Read my story on it here: http://clinton.lumberkings.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110604&content_id=20014772&vkey=news_t500&fext=.jsp&sid=t500.
More on K-Pax and the rest of the Cardiac Kings in today’s Game Notes: 6.4.11 kingsnotes
The Daily Roster Move: None for three days in a row. Maybe this is beginning to be a misnomer.
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (17-39): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Tim Morris/1B, Kalian Sams/RF, Stefen Romero/3B, Steven Baron/C, Kevin Rivers/LF, Jabari Blash/CF, Anthony Phillips/SS, James Paxton/LHP
Lake County Captains (26-29): LeVon Washington/CF, Carlos Moncrief/RF, Giovanny Urshela/3B, Anthony Gallas/LF, Alex Monsalve/C, Jesus Aguilar/1B, Alex Lavisky/DH, Argenis Martinez/2B, Nick Bartolone/SS, Jordan Cooper/RHP
First pitch is again at 6:00 PM central time, join me for the broadcast at 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Tonight’s Interview: Jabari Blash
It took four lead-changes and a season-high 16 hits to finally put away the Fort Wayne TinCaps for a long-overdue first series sweep of the year, but the LumberKings finally took a permanent lead with back-to-back doubles by Steven Baron and Jabari Blash (listen: Blash RBI double in 9th 6.2.11) in the ninth and held onto it as right-hander Keli’i Zablan induced a 6-2-3 double play from Rymer Liriano with the bases loaded (listen: Zablan Induces 6-2-3 Game-Ending DP 6.2.11), giving Clinton the 9-8 win last night.
Blash finished 4-for-5 on the night with two doubles and two RBI, Baron went 2-for-4 with a double, home run and an RBI and Kalian Sams went 2-for-5 with a two-run homer (listen: Sams 2-R HR (#5) 6.2.11) and three RBI to give the LumberKings just their second three-game winning streak of the season. Clinton outscored Fort Wayne 19-15 in the three games, winning 4-3 (10 innings), 6-4 and 9-8.
My interview guest tonight is Blash at long last, following a 6-for-11 series that included a home run and four RBI.
Listen Here: Blash Interview 6.3.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.3.11 kingsnotes
The Daily Roster Move: NONE!
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (17-38): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/1B, Tim Morris/DH, Kalian Sams/RF, Kevin Rivers/LF, Jabari Blash/CF, Carlos Ramirez/3B, Anthony Phillips/SS, Carlton Tanabe/C, Jandy Sena/RHP
Lake County Captains (25-29): LeVon Washington/CF, Carlos Moncrief/RF, Giovanny Urshela/3B, Anthony Gallas/LF, Alex Monsalve/C, Jesus Aguilar/1B, Ronny Rodriguez/SS, Alex Lavisky/DH, Nick Bartolone/2B, Kyle Blair/RHP
As you’ve already gathered, the LumberKings are back in Lake County for the first time since the 2010 Midwest League Championship Series last September, when the Captains took the deciding Game 5 by a 3-1 score despite a complete-game effort from right-hander Yoervis Medina. I’d be lying if I said my heart didn’t hurt a little coming back to this place, but I’m one of the few…only hitting coach Terry Pollreisz, pitchers Jonathan Arias and Forrest Snow, catcher Steven Baron, infielders Tim Morris, Carlos Ramirez and Mickey Wiswall were here for the MWLCS.
No rings on the line this time, but still plenty of reasons to join me for the broadcast at 6:00 PM central time on 1390kcln.com.
-DL
Tonight’s Interview: Mickey Wiswall
Two-out magic was the name of the game last night for the LumberKings as they plated all six of their runs with two away to beat the Fort Wayne TinCaps, 6-4 at Parkview Field. Kalian Sams started the trend with a two-out double scoring Tim Morris in the first inning, then scoring on a base hit by Stefen Romero. Mickey Wiswall belted an opposite-field two-run homer with two gone in the fifth for a 4-3 lead, and Romero snapped a 4-4 tie with a two-out double to left scoring Sams in the eighth (listen: Romero RBI double 6.1.11). As a result of the clutch hits (Kings were 4-for-9 with RISP), Clinton has won back-to-back games for just the third time all season.
Wiswall’s blast didn’t win it (listen: Wiswall 2-R HR (#3) 6.1.11), but it shifted momentum back in the LumberKings’ favor. You could say that momentum is back with Wiswall as well after a dismal April. The Mariners’ 2010 seventh-round pick hit a solid .265 with 15 RBI in May and is 1-for-5 with a HR and two RBI so far in June.
Today, I catch up with the 2010 playoff hero on the pregame interview. We talk about his rare opposite-field homer from last night, working with hitting coach Terry Pollreisz after the slow start, baseball being “fun again” for these LumberKings lately, his newfound role as the #2 hitter in Eddie Menchaca’s lineup, teaming up with fellow Boston College alum Robbie Anston, his thoughts on a very successful 2010 season, his Stanley Cup Finals rivalry with Jon Hesketh and James Paxton (Mickey is a Boston Bruins fan) and more.
Listen Here: Wiswall Interview 6.2.11
Tonight’s Game Notes: 6.2.11 kingsnotes
Daily Roster Move: NONE!
Starting Lineups:
LumberKings (16-38): Jorge Agudelo/2B, Mickey Wiswall/DH, Tim Morris/1B, Kalian Sams/RF, Kevin Rivers/LF, Steven Baron/C, Jabari Blash/CF, Matt Browning/3B, Anthony Phillips/SS, Edlando Seco/LHP
Fort Wayne TinCaps (23-29): Rico Noel/CF, Rymer Liriano/RF, Luis Domoromo/LF, Jake Blackwood/3B, Tommy Medica/1B, Jose Dore/DH, Cole Tyrell/C, Pat McKenna/2B, B.J. Guinn/SS, Matt Branham/RHP
The LumberKings have not swept a series of any kind this season, but they’re poised for a shot tonight in Fort Wayne. Join me for the broadcast beginning at approximately 5:45 PM central time on 1390kcln.com.
-DL
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