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Fitzgerald Error Lifts Lugs In 9th, 4-3

June 2, 2011 - Midwest League (MWL) Lansing Lugnuts

LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts' (31-21) comeback effort fell short against the Peoria Chiefs (29-25) in the series finale, giving up six runs in the final two frames to fall 11-5 at Cooley Law School Stadium on Thursday night.

Peoria, the top offensive team in the Midwest League, pounded out 20 hits in avoiding the three-game road sweep at first place Lansing.

After falling behind 4-0 and 5-1 early, the Lugs chipped away at the deficit with solo tallies in the fifth and sixth innings before tying the game at 5-5 in the seventh against reliever Alvaro Sosa. Third baseman Bryson Namba drove home Michael Crouse with a double, coming home to score on a wild pitch to trim the deficit to 5-4. After a Markus Brisker walk, Kevin Nolan hit a lazy fly ball to right field that D.J. Fitzgerald couldn't handle, bringing in Brisker to tie the game.

But the Chiefs stopped the Lugs' momentum immediately, scoring two runs in the eighth and four runs in the ninth against reliever Alex Pepe (Loss, 2-2), capped off by a Richard Jones two-out, two RBI double to left-center.

Lugnuts manager Mike Redmond was ejected in the midst of the ninth inning rally after disputing two consecutive close calls on the basepaths with umpire Chris Gonzalez.

Peoria reliever Casey Harman (Win, 1-1) shut down the Lugnuts offense in the last two innings, facing one batter above the minimum and striking out four.

In the winning effort, Chiefs center fielder Matt Szczur went 4-for-6 with three runs scored and his third home run of the season.

Namba, Crouse and Nolan each notched a pair of hits for the Lugnuts in the loss.

The Lugnuts will start lefty Sean Nolin (1-1, 2.61) against the Western Division leading Burlington Bees' right-hander Jose Macias (1-0, 0.82) in the opener of a three-game series on Friday night. First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m. on Jackson Field, with postgame LAFCU Fireworks.

Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.

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Midwest League Stories from June 2, 2011


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