Sixteen Runs Down, Minor Leaguers Perform Major-League Miracle

Sixteen Runs Down, Minor Leaguers Perform Major-League Miracle

Sports, like the story of the tortoise and the hare, instill in youngsters the value of perseverance. In Burlington, Iowa last night, 558 fans witnessed this virtue in action.

The Clinton Lumber Kings overcame a 16-run deficit on the road to cap a comeback against the Burlington Bees last night. Down 17-1 after five innings, the single-A Mariners affiliate chipped away at the seemingly insurmountable lead until catcher Marcus Littlewood hit a game-tying grand slam in the top of the ninth. 

The comeback against the Angels affiliate lasted into the twelfth inning, when the Clinton, Iowa team scored three runs. Down sixteen runs in the sixth inning, the Lumber Kings won the game 20-17. The Lumber Kings combined for 22 hits, including two by Burt Reynolds, a cousin of Robinson Cano unrelated to the Smokey and the Bandit and Boogie Nights star.

The obligatory celebration tweet gushed, “PUT IT IN THE BOOKS BABY! 20-17 FINAL. DOWN 17-1 AFTER FIVE INNINGS. HISTORY IN BURLINGTON…THE LUMBERKINGS COMPLETE THE COMEBACK.”

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