Sweeney supplies the offense in 2-1 win over 'Caps
August 15, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - Kellen Sweeney drove in a pair of runs and the Lansing Lugnuts' (21-32, 53-69) pitching held up in a slim 2-1 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (24-26, 57-63) in a pitcher's duel at Fifth Third Ballpark on Thursday night.
Lansing improves to 8-3 against West Michigan this season.
With the game tied, 1-1, in the top of the seventh, Emilio Guerrero led off with a single against Whitecaps' reliever Angel Nesbitt (Loss, 3-4), extending his hitting streak to 10 games. The next batter, Sweeney, then drilled a double off the base off the wall to deep right-center, scoring Guerrero from first to give the Lugs the lead. Sweeney was thrown out at third trying to stretch the hit into a triple.
The Whitecaps threatened to come right back in the bottom half of the seventh, but Chris Hawkins came up huge in saving the Lugnuts' lead.
With Austin Green on second base with no outs, Connor Harrell grounded a single to right field. Green tried to race around third and score the game-tying run, but Hawkins threw to the plate and catcher Santiago Nessy applied to tag to get Green at home, protecting the 2-1 lead.
Trailing 1-0 early, Lansing was able to draw even in the fourth as West Michigan starter Jake Thompson issued a bases-loaded walk to Sweeney, scoring Kevin Patterson to tie the game, 1-1.
Thompson lasted five innings, taking a no-decision. He allowed one run - earned - on just three hits, but walked three and also hit two batters. The 19-year old struck out eight Lugnuts.
The Whitecaps struck first, however, as Dean Green took Daniel Norris deep to right field, putting West Michigan quickly ahead, 1-0, in the home half of the first inning.
Norris pitched five tremendous innings in the no-decision, leaving with the game tied, 1-1. The 20-year old struck out eight - his second highest total this year - while issuing just one walk. His only run allowed came on the Green home run and he surrendered just four hits overall.
Efrain Nieves (Win, 2-2) pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Norris to earn the win and Ian Kadish pitched a scoreless eighth inning. Arik Sikula pitched a 1-2-3 ninth with a pair of strikeouts to secure his 18th save of the season.
Lugnuts leadoff man Dwight Smith, Jr. finished 2-for-5 in the game, extending his on-base streak to 17 straight contests, matching Dalton Pompey for the team-high this season.
The series finale is set for a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Friday night. Eric Brown (0-2, 3.38) takes the ball for Lansing against West Michigan right-hander Endrys Briceno (7-7, 3.81).
Lansing Lugnuts tickets are available for purchase at lansinglugnuts.com and by calling 517-485-4500, and Lugnuts text alerts are easily accessed by texting LUGNUTS to 313131.
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