Logan Taylor hit his 8th home run of the season for the Clinton LumberKings on Sunday. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)

Good pitching and a pair of home runs helped the Clinton LumberKings win their eighth consecutive game Sunday, a 2-1 victory over the Peoria Chiefs.

Not only have the LumberKings won their last eight games, but they have come away victorious in 16 of their last 17 contests. Clinton now has 80 wins this season, the first time the team has reached that mark since 1993. Their 80-46 record is the best in the Midwest League, with the Eastern Division-leading South Bend Cubs next at 77-48. The second-best record in the Western Division belongs to the Cedar Rapids Kernels, who are 68-57.

The LumberKings got solo homers from Dalton Kelly and Logan Taylor, which was enough for the win Sunday. Five Clinton pitchers held the Peoria offense to one run on two hits and five walks. LHP Jake Brentz got the win in relief, improving to 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA in five appearances. He has 11 strikeouts and three walks in 7.1 innings.

Kivlehan homers in MLB debut

Former LumberKings third baseman Patrick Kivlehan is doing his best to make a great first impression in the big leagues. After going 2-for-4 with a home run in his major-league debut Saturday, the San Diego Padres rookie reached base in all four of his plate appearances Sunday. He went 2-for-2 with two walks and three runs scored in his second game.

Only one other Padres player reached base six times in his first two MLB games: Anthony Rizzo (2011), who is now the star first baseman for the Chicago Cubs.

Kivlehan played for the LumberKings in 2013, batting .283 with 3 HR and 31 RBI in 60 games.

Patrick Kivlehan breaks for third base during a Clinton LumberKings game in 2013. (Photo by Craig Wieczorkiewicz/The Midwest League Traveler)