Lugnuts' big finish too much for 'Caps

September 4, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

LANSING, MI- A.J. Jimenez ripped a two-run double down the left field line in the bottom of the eighth, and the Lansing Lugnuts defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps, 4-3, at Oldsmobile Park on Friday night in the regular season home finale. The Whitecaps led the entire game until Lansing batted in the eighth inning. The win gives Lansing one victory in the three games played in the series.

Gustavo Nunez led off the game with a triple and scored on Ronnie Bourquin's RBI double. Ben Guez followed Bourquin with a triple to put the ‘Caps ahead, 2-0.

That lead would stay the same until the bottom of the sixth inning. Mark Sobolewski walked and came home on a passed ball by Whitecaps' catcher Angel Flores. Lansing's run made the score, 2-1 in favor of the Whitecaps.

Flores would get that run back with his two-out, RBI hit in the seventh. The hit brought in Bryan Pounds for a 3-1 Whitecaps' lead.

In the eighth, Lansing got a lead-off walk from Yoherman Chavez. Balbino Fuenmayor lofted an RBI double to cut the ‘Caps lead to 3-2. Then Justin McClanahan drew another walk, and A.J. Jimenez drilled his double down into the left field corner to score Fuenmayor and McClanahan as Lansing took a 4-3 lead.

Jordan Lennerton led off the ninth with a single, but Brandon Douglas, Bryan Pounds, and Luis Salas went in order to end the game.

Luke Putkonen threw very well for West Michigan. Putkonen gave up just 3 hits and 1 run through 5.2 innings. He walked 4 and struck out three.

Melvin Mercedes takes the loss for the ‘Caps. He's now 0-1.

Dustin Antolin is credited with the win for Lansing as he's now 2-5.

Gustavo Nunez and Ronnie Bourquin each had 2 hits for the Whitecaps.

The Whitecaps return to Fifth Third Ballpark to close out the regular season with a three game series with the Fort Wayne Tincaps. Game one is Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2009

• Bees Lose Final Home Game of Regular Season - Burlington Bees
• TinCaps Distribute Yearly Awards - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Chiefs Fall 6-3 Friday - Peoria Chiefs
• Kernels complete sweep of Wisconsin, 5-2 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Jimenez Lifts Lugnuts in Home Finale, 4-3 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Lugnuts' big finish too much for 'Caps - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Cougars Roll Past Chiefs to Win Set - Kane County Cougars
• Rattlers home schedule ends with a loss - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Dragons Fall in 10 Innings - Dayton Dragons
• Hawks Win in Extras, Take Wild Card Lead - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Timber Rattlers Final Home Attendance over a quarter million - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Garate Promoted to Big Leagues - Great Lakes Loons
• Dragons GameDay - Dayton Dragons
• Kernels take second in a row, 4-2 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Home stand Preview: September 5-7 & Playoffs - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Sweet 16 for Redding - Great Lakes Loons

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories

• 'Caps Drop Series to Lake County
• 'Caps Enjoy Biggest Crowd Since '19 in Defeat
• 'Caps Taken Down by Captains, 3-0
• Whitecaps Walk to 5-4 Victory in 11 Innings
• 'Caps Win Streak Concludes in 4-1 Loss