Lansing rally falls just short in loss to Caps
August 15, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
Comstock Park, Mich.- The West Michigan Whitecaps received a terrific outing from hurler Jon Kibler Friday night, but they had to survive a ninth inning rally by the Lansing Lugnuts in order to come away with a breathtaking 4-3 win at Fifth Third Ballpark.
It was a scoreless game until the sixth inning when the Whitecaps loaded the bases against Chi-Hung Cheng with two singles and a hit batsman. Audy Ciriaco's one-out sacrifice fly to left plated Alex Avila, putting West Michigan ahead 1-0.
They would add to their lead in the next frame when Chris Carlson, Alex Avila, and Chris White all smacked consecutive RBI doubles, pushing the advantage to 4-0. All three of those runs came off of Lansing reliever Danny O'Brien.
Kibler (14-4) was great for Whitecaps, as he twirled eight innings of four-hit baseball. He struck out nine in the outing and did not surrender a walk while picking up his third win in as many starts against Lansing. Kibler has only given up one earned run to the Lugnuts in 25 innings this year.
Lansing rallied in the ninth inning against the West Michigan's bullpen. With two men on, Manny Rodirguez laced a triple in front of the diving Chris White in right field, plating both runners with a triple and cutting the lead to 4-2. After Kevin Ahrens drew a one-out walk, Jonathan Baksh ripped a shot into right, but White made a shoestring catch for the second out, which did score Rodriguez to make it 4-3.
Lansing would then load the bases as Yohermyn Chavez reached on a single and Moises Sierra got to first on a third strike wild pitch. However Darin Mastroianni's hard hit fly ball was tracked down by center fielder Kyle Peter to end the game.
Chi-Hung Cheng (5-7) took the loss for the Lugnuts despite pitching well. He gave up just one run over six innings of solid work.
Wilton Garcia got the last three outs to record his first save of the year.
Lansing (69-55, 30-24) will continue the road trip Saturday night as they head to Memorial Stadium to face-off with the Fort Wayne Wizards. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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