Lugnuts division lead dwindling
Published on June 9, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
Comstock Park, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts were soundly outhit by the West Michigan Whitecaps Monday night, but it took three runs in the final two innings for the home club to take a 4-3 decision at Fifth Third Ballpark, snapping Lansing's seven-game road winning streak.
With the score tied 3-3 in the ninth, West Michigan's Jordan Newton was able to reach on a soft infield single that just got past Lansing hurler Michael Barbara. He would retire the next two batters before being pulled in favor of Joe Wice, who was brought in to face Kyle Peter.
Wice promptly threw a wild pitch on his first offering, which allowed Newton to move to third base as he was running on the play. Peter followed that by grounding a ball to Justin Jackson, but the Lansing shortstop bobbled the ball and Peter was able to beat out the throw, giving the Whitecaps a 4-3 win.
The Lugnuts held a 3-1 lead in the eighth before the Whitecaps were able to rally in order to tie the game. With two men on, Chris Carlson lined a single into left field that plated Peter to cut the lead to 3-2. Pinch-hitter Joaquin Guzman then reached on a fielder's choice that allowed Justin Henry to score, knotting the game at 3-3.
Lansing was able to take the advantege in the fourth inning by taking advantage of a West Michigan error and a walk that put two runners on the basepaths. Matt Liuzza then drilled a three-run homer beyond the left field wall to put the Lugnuts ahead 3-0.
Marc Rzepczynski delivered a quality start for Lansing, but did not factor in the decision. He threw six innings and allowed just one run, which came in his final frame of work on a Roger Tomas RBI single. Rzepczynski also struck out five and did not walk a batter.
Noah Krol (1-0) got the win for the Whitecaps after fanning three batters in the ninth.
Barbara (0-1) took the loss for the Lugnuts, as the runner that scored in the ninth was his responsibility. The run was unearned.
Lansing (36-28) now has just a two-game lead over West Michigan (33-29) with six to play in the first half. The second game of the four-game set is Tuesday night. Brad Mills (4-3, 2.89) will hurl for the Lugnuts, while Brandon Hamilton (0-4, 4.74) will pitch for the Whitecaps. First pitch is 7:00 p.m.
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