Clinton LumberKings SP Robert Shore struck out 10 batters Friday.

The first six innings of Friday’s Cougars-LumberKings game was a pitchers duel between Kane County RHP Kyle Zimmer and Clinton RHP Robert Shore. Starting in the 7th inning, however, it was all offense for the Cougars, who won 5-0.

Zimmer, the top draft pick of the Kansas City Royals this year, earned his first win as a member of the Cougars. Shore was coming off a 10-strikeout performance against the Peoria Chiefs. On Friday at Clinton’s Ashford University Field, Shore turned in another 10-strikeout performance and Zimmer matched him with 10 strikeouts of his own.

Kane County Cougars SP Kyle Zimmer also struck out 10 batters Friday.

Zimmer (W, 1-2) went 6 2/3 innings, giving up only three hits while walking none. Shore (ND, 3-2) pitched six innings, giving up five hits and walking none. All five of Kane County’s runs came off reliever Joshua Corrales (L, 3-4).

Cougars CF Alex Llanos went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI. Cougars 2B Justin Trapp hit two leadoff triples.

Kane County Cougars 2B Justin Trapp

The LumberKings wore throwback uniforms modeled after those worn by the Clinton Pilots from 1966 to 1970. You can see what they looked like in this photo of LumberKings LF Guillermo Pimentel:

Clinton LumberKings OF Guillermo Pimentel wearing a throwback Clinton Pilots uniform

During the years that uniform design was used, Clinton was an affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1966-68), the Seattle Pilots (1969), and the Milwaukee Brewers (1970). Notable future major-leaguers who played for Clinton during those years include Don Money (.236, 7 HR in 125 games with the 1966 team), Darrell Porter (.200, 4 HR, 21 RBI in 62 games with the 1970 team) and Gorman Thomas (.212, 8 HR, 39 RBI in 85 games with the 1970 team). Tom Kelly, who later managed the Minnesota Twins to two World Series championships, batted .223 with 6 HR and 35 RBI for the 1969 team.

Holmberg records 1,300th win

Former Midwest League player Dennis Holmberg, who never made it to the majors but has spent the past 25 years managing minor-league teams, earned his 1,300th career victory Friday.

Holmberg currently manages the Bluefield Blue Jays. He has managed in six leagues, but the Midwest League is not one of them.

He did, however, play parts of five seasons in the Midwest League — three with the Danville Warriors and two with the Burlington Bees. Cumulatively, he batted .248 with 50 HR and 213 RBI in 407 Midwest League games.