Whitecaps trip Lugs late, earn series split
Published on May 8, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - Pat Leyland lined a tie-breaking RBI single in the ninth and the West Michigan Whitecaps (15-16) staved off a furious two-out rally to edge the Lansing Lugnuts (21-10), 7-6, on Tuesday afternoon on Jackson Field.
The victory earned West Michigan a split in the four-game series and marked the first time in 2012 that the Lugnuts have lost consecutive games.
With runners at first and second and two outs in the top of the ninth, Leyland beat reliever Brandon Berl for a base hit to right field, scoring pinch-runner Aaron Westlake. Lugnuts right fielder Markus Brisker misplayed the ball, allowing Curt Casali to score, giving West Michigan a 7-5 lead.
The unearned insurance run proved significant.
With two outs and no one on in the bottom of the ninth, the Lugnuts put together a last ditch threat. Kenny Wilson kept hope alive with a single against Michael Torrealba (Win, 1-0), took second via defensive indifference, and scored on a Kellen Sweeney RBI single off Dan Bennett (Save, 6), trimming the lead to one run.
A Kevin Pillar single and Kevin Patterson walk loaded the bases, but Andy Burns popped out to second base to end the game.
Lugnuts reliever Javier Avendano (Loss, 1-2) struck out four batters in 1 2/3 innings, but issued a one-out walk in the ninth inning that cost him the defeat.
David Rollins started for Lansing and lasted 4 1/3 innings of seven-hit ball in which gave up four runs, struck out three and walked one.
Kenny Wilson and Kevin Pillar each went 3-for-5 in the game, with Wilson scoring three runs while Pillar and Kellen Sweeney added a pair of RBIs.
Casali and Leyland led a 15-hit Whitecaps attack with three hits apiece.
The starter for West Michigan, Marcelo Carreno, surrendered five runs over 4 1/3 innings of work on eight hits. Three Whitecaps relievers worked a combined to allow just one run over 4 2/3.
The Lugnuts continue their seven-game homestand against the Bowling Green Hot Rods on a 7:05 p.m. Ladies Night on Wednesday at Cooley Law School Stadium. The pitching matchup features Lansing right-hander Marcus Walden (1-1, 3.04) against Bowling Green right-hander Trevor Shull (0-0, 4.50).
Tickets are available online at the team website at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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