LumberKings lose Midwest League finals
Here’s a look at the top performances of the past week by Marlins prospects in the Minor Leagues:
Saturday, Sept. 14: LumberKings swept in finals
Class A Clinton’s season came to a close Saturday night as the LumberKings dropped Game 3 of the Midwest League Championship Series to South Bend.
The LumberKings lost, 5-0, and the game was never really in doubt as Cubs prospect Riley Thompson struck out 10 over five no-hit innings. Clinton broke up the no-hit bid in the sixth inning, but the offense finished with just two hits all game. Saturday's prospect stats »
Thursday, Sept. 12: LumberKings fall in extra innings
Class A Clinton lost 3-2 to South Bend on Thursday night and now trails 2-0 in the best-of-five Midwest League Championship Series. However, the team does return home for the final three games, so perhaps there is still some home-field magic in store for the Marlins’ affiliate.
Jose Devers (No. 11) and Will Banfield (No. 20) were each 2-for-5 at the plate, but a combination of six South Bend pitchers -- led by starter Faustino Carrera -- held the LumberKings to just two runs, despite yielding 11 hits.
Jake Walters turned in a solid start for Clinton as he gave up two runs (one earned) over six innings and the bullpen kept the game tied through nine.
A rain delay halted play after nine innings, but once the game resumed, it didn’t take long before Cubs No. 6 prospect Cole Roederer sent the hometown fans happy as he scored the game-winner on a wild pitch. Thursday's prospect stats »
Wednesday, Sept. 11: Clinton drops first game of finals
The Class A Clinton LumberKings dropped the opening game of their Midwest League Championship Series on Wednesday, 3-1, to South Bend. The LumberKings wasted little time getting on the board as Christopher Torres and No. 11 prospect Jose Devers opened the game with back-to-back doubles, with Devers’ bringing a run home. That was all that Clinton could put together offensively, though, against the rehabbing Kendall Graveman and a strong bullpen effort from South Bend.
Clinton managed just five hits and a pair of walks, including a 2-for-4 day with two singles from Evan Edwards, the only LumberKings batter to reach base more than once. Game 2 of the best-of-five series goes on Thursday in South Bend, with the remaining games, following an off-day on Friday, all scheduled in Clinton beginning on Saturday. Wednesday's prospect stats »
Monday, Sept. 9: Clinton advances to MWL Finals
No. 20 prospect Will Banfield started the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning and finished 2-for-5 as Class A Clinton defeated Cedar Rapids, 6-2, to advance to the Midwest League finals. Banfield’s single plated Kameron Misner (No. 10), who failed to collect a hit, going 0-for-3, but scored a team-high three runs.
Bubba Hollins hit a two-out, two-run triple off the wall in left field in the top of the seventh to cap a 2-for-4 performance, while Christopher Torres went 2-for-3 with two singles, a stolen base, two walks and a run scored from the leadoff spot.
Clinton will now square off with South Bend in the MWL finals, with Game 1 of the series slated for Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. ET in South Bend. Monday's prospect stats »