Loons drop final game of series in 'pitchers duel' with 1-0 loss to Clinton Lumberkings

 

After taking the first two games, the Great Lakes Loons (29-61) dropped the final game of a 3-game road series in a 'pitchers duel' with a 1-0 loss to the Clinton Lumberkings (Seattle Mariners) at Ashford University Field in Clinton, IA tonight.

 

Loons starter Max Gamboa had given up just 1-hit, while striking out the side in the first inning, before a 2-hour and 19-minute rain delay forced Gamboa to be replaced by Great Lakes reliever Darien Nunez (a Cuban international free agent signed by the Dodgers earlier this summer) to start the bottom of the second once play had resumed, while Nunez would eventually go on to allow just 2-hits, striking out 7-batters throughout the next 3-innings. 

 

After five scoreless innings between both teams, Clinton managed to strike first when CF Ariel Sandoval (11) got to Loons reliever Devin Hemmerich (who had replaced Nunez to start the fifth) with a lead-off home run, his eleventh of the season, for a 1-0 Lumbekings lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, which would turn out to be the difference in the game.

 

Hemmerich (1-5, 4.18 ERA) picked up his fifth loss of the season after giving up the 1-run on 2-hits and 2-walks, with 1-strikeout through 2-innings.

 

Loons reliever Sven Schuller replaced Hemmerich to start the seventh and instantly fell behind after relenting 3-straight singles to load the bases, however, Shuller would regroup and work out of the inning.

 

Schuller (2.60 ERA) allowed just 3-hits, with 2-strikeouts through the final 2-innings.

 

The Loons will stay in the state of Iowa, heading to Burlington to begin a 3-game series (Sat-Mon) with the Burlington Bees (Los Angeles Angels) with the opener set for 7:05 pm tomorrow night.