Lugnuts continue to roll
April 17, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
Lansing Holds On For Victory
Clinton, IA - Joey Metropoulos's home run in the eighth proved to be the game winning run as the Lugnuts survived Monday night to beat the Clinton LumberKings 3-2 at Alliant Energy Field. Metropoulos smacked his first longball of the season to lead-off the frame for Lansing to give the Lugnuts a 3-1 lead.
Clinton's Terry Blunt blasted a solo shot of his own in the bottom of the eighth off of Billy Carnline to pull the LumberKings to within one run. The homer is the first run that Carnline has allowed to cross the plate all season in 12 innings of work out of the bullpen.
Paul Phillips recorded the save for the Lugnuts, but not before he made it interesting. With two out in the ninth and a runner at second, Jose Vallejo ripped a long fly ball to left field that was caught by Cory Patton at the warning track just before he ran into the wall.
The Lugnuts scored their first run in the opening frame when Sean Shoffit led the game off with a triple to center field. Chris Gutierrez singled to center field to give Lansing an early 1-0 lead.
Shoffit scored again in the third inning when Cory Patton laced a double into left-center field to give Lansing a 2-0 cushion. It was Patton's 14th RBI of the season, which ties him for the Midwest League lead.
Chi-Hung Cheng (2-1) picked up the win for the Lugnuts in his most impressive start thus far. He tossed five innings, giving up just one unearned run while fanning seven.
Michael Kirkman (0-2) took the loss for Clinton after allowing two runs on six hits in four innings of work. He did strike out seven batters in his start.
Lansing (8-3) and Clinton (4-7) will play game two of the four game set on Tuesday evening. Kristian Bell (2-0, 2.70 ERA) will take the hill for the Lugnuts, while Kyle Rogers (0-1, 4.22 ERA) will hurl for the LumberKings. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. EST.
Midwest League Stories from April 17, 2006
- Bees Bats Bust Out to Beat Wizards - Burlington Bees
- Devil Rays take down Timber Rattlers in ten - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Lugnuts continue to roll - Lansing Lugnuts
- Snappers Lose Second Straight - Beloit Sky Carp
- Chiefs Score Early and Late in 6-2 Win - Peoria Chiefs
- Groce leads Devil Rays past Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Swing drop opener to Dayton - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons back on track with 6-3 win in series opener - Dayton Dragons
- LumberKings lose another low-scoring affair - Clinton LumberKings
- Whitecaps defeat Cedar Rapids 5-3 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Shields, Cougars blank South Bend - Kane County Cougars
- Rangers First Rounder Mayberry Comes to Clinton - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Go Down Under with New Pitcher - Dayton Dragons
- Phelps Promoted to Daytona, Rayborn Joins Chiefs - Peoria Chiefs
- Whitecaps comment on injuries - West Michigan Whitecaps
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