My love of bobbleheads (especially free ones) brought me back to Ashford University Field, home of the Clinton LumberKings, on Saturday. The LumberKings gave away bobbleheads of Texas Rangers LHP Derek Holland, who went 7-0 with a 2.40 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 93.2 IP (17 starts) for Clinton in 2008.

After entering the ballpark, I checked the starting lineups and the Midwest League standings board before getting something to eat before the game started.

While hanging out in the Dr Pepper Picnic Garden, I watched some LumberKings play pepper …

… and their starting pitcher, Seon-Gi Kim, loosen up in the outfield.

Clinton LumberKings SP Seon-Gi Kim

Kim (4-4, 4.65 ERA) picked up the win for Clinton, who beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 4-2. Kim went 6 innings, giving up one run on five hits and three walks. He struck out one batter and picked off a runner.

His counterpart, Kernels SP Ryan Crowley (1-5, 4.08 ERA) took the loss after giving up three runs on eight hits and no walks. He struck out four batters.

Cedar Rapids Kernels SP Ryan Crowley

Dan Paolini and David Villasuso homered for the LumberKings.

Clinton LumberKings catcher David Villasuso bats during Saturday’s game.

Soler goes deep for Peoria

A day after I watched Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler go 0-for-4 in his home debut with the Peoria Chiefs, the Chicago Cubs prospect fell a triple shy of hitting for the cycle as he went 4-for-5 with a solo home run and a stolen base against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers. The Chiefs beat the Timber Rattlers 9-2.