Clinton mounts comeback to salvage finale
July 2, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING - Six runs in the final two innings lifted the Clinton LumberKings to a 10-6 win over the Lansing Lugnuts before 4,721 fans at Oldsmobile Park Sunday night. The loss snapped a four game winning streak for the Lugnuts.
Lansing trailed 4-0 in the fourth inning before Brian Pettway lifted a two run double into right-center field to cut the lead to 4-2. Jacob Butler followed suit with a double to the same portion of ballpark to plate Butler and make it a 4-3 game.
The Lugnuts tied the game in the next frame when Sean Shoffit blasted his third homer of the season, a solo shot to right field that made it 4-4. After Anthony Hatch walked, Joey Metropoulos drilled a two run shot to left-center field that gave the Lugnuts a 6-4 lead.
Clinton regained the lead in the eighth inning. Ian Gac roped an RBI double into the left field corner to score John Mayberry to cut the Lugnuts advantage to 6-5. After John Whittleman walked, Alberto Martinez doubled off of the left field wall to score both runners and give the LumberKings a 7-6 lead.
The LumberKings added three insurance runs in the ninth, highlighted by a Ben Crabtree two run single to center field that ended the scoring at 10-6.
Reliever Joey McLaughlin saw his first action as a Clinton LumberKing in the game, throwing 1 2/3 innings and allowing just two hits. He was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays, where he had spent all season with Lansing, to the Texas Rangers on Saturday.
Jose Marte (5-3) got the win in relief, tossing the final three innings. The Lugnuts failed to manage a hit off of him, as Marte fanned six batters.
Derek Tate (0-2) took the loss for the Lugnuts, hurling two innings and allowing three runs on four hits.
Lansing (46-32, 6-5) got the series win over Clinton (28-52, 5-6) 3-1. The Lugnuts will begin a four game set with the West Michigan Whitecaps on Monday evening at Oldsmobile Park. Kristian Bell (6-4, 3.97) will take the bump for Lansing, while Burke Badenhop (7-2, 3.33) will get the call for the Whitecaps. LAFCU Fireworks will follow the game, which is scheduled to begin at 7:05 p.m.
Midwest League Stories from July 2, 2006
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- Middleton saves Whitecaps after blown lead - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Clinton mounts comeback to salvage finale - Lansing Lugnuts
- Rattlers lose a heartbreaker - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Kernels defense breaks down in 4-3 loss to Dayton - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Devil Rays cast magic on Wizards - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Carter, Chiefs clobber Bees - Burlington Bees
- Dragons pick up late inning win, 4-3 - Dayton Dragons
- Recker, Lansford lead Cougars past Snappers - Kane County Cougars
- Kane County defeats Snappers - Beloit Sky Carp
- Cubs' Wade Miller to start against LKings - Clinton LumberKings
- Eddie DeLaCruz Added to Active Roster - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Devil Rays Beat Wizards In 13 Innings - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
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