Cherry sweet in Lugnuts 4-1 victory
Published on August 31, 2003 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING -- Starting pitcher Rocky Cherry pitched seven scoreless innings at Oldsmobile Park Sunday afternoon, leading the Lansing Lugnuts to a 4-1 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps.
Cherry, giving the Lugnuts his fourth start of the year, allowed six hits during his stay, striking out three. And although he was the undisputed star of the afternoon, he didn't get a win to show for it.
That's because West Michigan starter Mike Howell was almost equally effective through seven innings. After giving up a leadoff homer in the first to Felix Pie (his fourth), Howell allowed no more hits until the eighth inning. By the end of the seventh, he had retired 16 consecutive hitters.
Meanwhile, in the top of the eighth, the Whitecaps tied the score against reliever B.J. Benik with a two-out Gilberto Mejia double that plated Meatball Heath.
But in the bottom of the eighth, the Lugnuts broke through against Howell. Jake Fox led off the inning with a single; Matt Creighton walked, and J.J. Johnson, feigning a sacrifice bunt, instead punched the ball through the infield for an RBI single. After a Robinson Chirinos sacrifice, Nick Jones singled up the middle to score Creighton and Johnson and put the game out of reach.
Jones had been in the game since the seventh, when Pie injured his left knee diving for a fly ball. The injury was not serious and he should be available for the playoffs.
Jason Wylie shut the door in the ninth to pick up his 29th save.
The series ends with 2003's final regular season game Monday at 2:05 p.m.
Midwest League Stories from August 31, 2003
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- Red-Hot Yanks Blank Wizards - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Timber Rattlers Rally for 10-9 Extra Inning Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Lucas Pitches Dragons Past Beloit, 8-2 - Dayton Dragons
- Cherry sweet in Lugnuts 4-1 victory - Lansing Lugnuts
- Legends Outlast Captains - Lake County Captains
- 'Caps to Conclude Season as Regan Retires - West Michigan Whitecaps
- West Michigan 8, Lansing 2 - Lansing Lugnuts
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