Kings Persevere Past Lugnuts, 5-3
July 30, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - The Clinton LumberKings (15-17; 55-47) withstood the loss of starting pitcher Alfredo Venegas to early injury, topping the Lansing Lugnuts (13-19; 39-61), 5-3, before a Ladies Night crowd of 8,912 on Thursday night at Oldsmobile Park.
Venegas suffered the injury while striking out Johermyn Chavez for the first out in the bottom of the second inning, forcing Clinton to rely heavily on its bullpen for the second straight day.
Blake Nation (3-3) replaced Venegas and provided three innings, relieved by Brian Moran for two frames, followed by Brandon Josselyn for 1 2/3 innings, before Cheyne Hann worked the ninth. Meanwhile, the LumberKings' offense pounded out 10 hits and five runs against Lugnuts starter Chad Beck in the first five innings.
The Lugnuts powered back into the game on the strength of homers from Johermyn Chavez and Balbino Fuenmayor, cutting the deficit to 5-3 in the fifth.
With the potential game-tying runs in scoring position in the ninth, Hann struck out Fuenmayor looking to preserve the win and lock up his seventh save.
Beck (4-5) suffered the loss despite setting down the final eight batters he faced, completing seven inning for the fifth time in his past six starts.
In defeat, Chavez finished the game with three hits in four at-bats. His home run was his 17th of the season, moving him into sole possession of second place in the Midwest League in that category.
On Friday night at 7:05 p.m. at Oldsmobile Park, the Lugnuts will send right-hander Chris Holguin (1-0, 4.02) to the mound for the series opener of a three-game set against Kane County. The Cougars will counter with right-hander Murphy Smith (0-1, 4.76). Friday night is Superhero Night at Oldsmobile Park, featuring post-game LAFCU Fireworks.
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