Lugnuts jump out to big lead, then hang on
September 4, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
GENEVA, IL- Yorkin Ferreras worked five strong innings for the second straight start and the Lugnuts(76-62, 38-30) worked their way to a big lead and then held on for an exciting 11-8 win over the Kane County Cougars(82-55, 39-29) at Elfstrom Stadium.
The Lugnuts got off to an explosive start in the first off Dallas Braden(2-1). Chris Walker and Tony McQuade reached with singles. Brian Dopirak then drew a walk and Kevin Collins then followed with a mammoth grand slam to center field to put the Lugnuts up 4-0. Collins' deep drive marks the third grand slam that the Lugnuts have connected on this season. Carlos Mejia and Alan Rick have the others.
Three more runs in the fifth for Lansing made it 7-0. Alberto Garcia led off with a single and then took third when Chris Walker doubled. McQuade doubled both in and back-to-back walks to Dopirak and Collins loaded the bases and sent Braden to the showers. Drew Larsen was hit by a pitch by Brigmer Leon to drive home McQuade, but the Lugnuts would leave the bases loaded.
Trevor Brown's solo homer to lead off the fifth got Kane County on the board off Yorkin Ferreras(2-2), who went five innings, allowing two hits and an earned run. He fanned three. Kane County would then get an RBI double by Vasili Spanos in the sixth to cut the lead to five runs, but Sam Fischer fanned Brown with two on to end the threat. The Lugnuts then scored a pair of runs in the seventh and eighth to blow the game wide open. Carlos Rojas, Jake Fox and Larsen added RBI's to seemingly put the game away.
But the Cougars showed in the last of the ninth why they are the Western Division Champions in both halves. They would score six runs off Juan Mateo to close the defecit to 11-8, but Kris Gross came on and shut the door with Chris Walker making a running catch on a ball hit by Brown to end the game.
Game three of the series continues tomorrow night at 7:00 EST as a pair of righthanders battle. Ronald Bay(11-9) takes on Chris Dunwell(11-7) at Elfstrom Stadium.
Midwest League Stories from September 4, 2004
- Playoff foe decided - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Fort Wayne sends Rattlers to fifth straight loss - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Bees Eliminated from Playoff Race - Burlington Bees
- Peoria Takes Game 2 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Cougars rally falls short, 11 - 8 - Kane County Cougars
- Clinton shuts out Swing - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Kendrick homers and drives in 4 in Kernels' win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Lugnuts jump out to big lead, then hang on - Lansing Lugnuts
- Hunt Reaches Milestone as 'Caps Seek Playoff Opponent - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Yanks blank Dragons 3-0 - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Yankees Win Thriller 3-0, Keep Playoff Hopes Alive - Dayton Dragons
- Whitecaps Cool Thunder To Take Series Lead - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Lugnuts big shutout win helps set new win mark - Lansing Lugnuts
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.
