MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Lugnuts swept out of playoffs by Dayton

Published on September 4, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


LANSING - The Lansing Lugnuts first-half championship gave them the right to home-field advantage in the opening round of the Midwest League playoffs. But after losing game one on the road, the Lugnuts could not even their series with the Dayton Dragons, as the visiting Dragons completed a two-game sweep of Lansing with a 7-3 win Thursday night at Oldsmobile Park, eliminating the Lugnuts from the playoffs.

Lansing had taken the lead in the fourth inning by rallying for three straight singles off of Dayton's Enerio Del Rosario. Jonathan Jaspe's hit drove home Justin Jackson, putting Lansing up 1-0. The Lugnuts would get their fourth consecutive hit from Kevin Ahrens, which loaded the bases with no men out. However C.J. Ebarb popped out and Moises Sierra grounded into an inning-ending double play that killed the rally.

The Dragons would use the momentum shift in their favor in the next frame. Brandon Menchaca doubled and scored on Jake Kahaulelio's single, tying the game at 1-1. Neftali Soto later doubled down the right field line, which brought Kahaulelio home from first base, giving Dayton a 2-1 lead.

Dayton added three more runs in the fifth to open up the lead. With two men on, Brandon Menchaca dropped a bloop single into left-center field that scored Devin Mesoraco, pushing the lead to 3-1. Justin Reed and Kahaulelio each had RBI singles as well, as Dayton opened up a 5-1 cushion.

Lansing tried to rally back in the bottom of the inning with two outs, as they loaded the bases for Sierra. He then came through with a two-run single that cut the Dragons' lead to 5-3, but the Lugnuts couldn't get anything else in the inning.

Dayton finally salted the game away in the ninth on Zack Cozart's two-run homer to left.

Del Rosario (1-0) got the win for the Dragons, as he went seven innings and gave up three runs, one earned, on eight hits.

Augido Gonzalez earned the save by tossing the final two frames.

Luis Perez (0-1) took the loss for the Lugnuts after giving up four runs over 5 1/3 innings.

The loss extends Lansing's losing streak in playoff games to six.

The Lugnuts will return to action on April 9th, 2009 as they open their 14th season against Fort Wayne Wizards at Oldsmobile Park.

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Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2008


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