Lugnuts homer again, but fall by a pair
Published on June 6, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
FORT WAYNE- Despite hitting a homer for the eighth consecutive game, the Lansing Lugnuts(32-24) dropped the opener of their four game series with the Fort Wayne Wizards(25-31) by a 6-4 score at Memorial Stadium. The homer streak is the longest in franchise history.
The Lugnuts took the early lead in the first inning when Chris Walker singled, stole second and came in on a wild pitch with two outs. However, Lansing wouldn't collect another hit until the ninth inning.
Ryan Dempster made his third rehab start for the Lugnuts and gave up an earned run in four innings while fanning six. He left the game in a 1-1 tie after allowing a run on a fielders choice by former Lugnut Chris Miller. That brought in Fernando Valenzuela to tie the game. The son of the former Dodgers pitcher had doubled to lead off the inning.
Reid Willett(0-3) took over on the mound for Dempster and gave up the lead in the sixth inning. Valenzuela doubled to lead off the inning and George Kottaras drew a walk. After Miller grounded into a double play to send Valenzuela to third, Drew Macias tripled on a 3-1 count to score Valenzuela and then scored when Willett tossed a wild pitch with Skip Adams at the plate.
In the eighth, Fort Wayne scored three times off Clay Rapada to seemingly put the game away. A two-run single by Kottaras made it 5-1 and a two-out double by Adams gave the Wizards a five-run lead going to the ninth.
That's when the slumbering Lugnut offense finally woke up. Wizards starter Clark Girardeau(2-4) allowed a leadoff homer to Alberto Garcia to make it 6-2 and three batters later, Brian Dopirak teed off for a two-run shot to cut the lead to 6-4. That was it for Girardeau, but Leo Rosales induced a flyout off the bat of Kevin Collins and then struck out Carlos Mejia to end the game.
Lansing tries to earn a win in the series tomorrow afternoon at 3:00 p.m. as Justin Jones(1-2, 4.35) takes on Greg Conden(1-2, 7.40).
Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2004
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- Olmstead Knocks in Four in Dragons 7-4 Win - Dayton Dragons
- Cougars calm the Whitecaps 7 - 3 - Kane County Cougars
- Yankees Lose Game Two Against Chiefs - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Cougars Slam 'Caps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- LumberKings Get Walkoff Win on Error - Burlington Bees
- Yanks win a crazy extra inning affair - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Snappers rally in ninth, beat Dayton 9-7 - Dayton Dragons
- Lugnuts homer again, but fall by a pair - Lansing Lugnuts
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