Lugnuts Outlast Whitecaps, Seize 1st place
Published on April 21, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - Garis Pena lined a tie-breaking RBI single and Dayton Marze, Scott Gracey and Steve Turnbull combined for 7 2/3 scoreless innings of relief, helping the Lansing Lugnuts (8-4) vault into first place in the Eastern Division with a 5-3 10-inning victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps (7-4) on Thursday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.
A night after his two-run homer led to a slim victory in Lake County, the Lugnuts' 19-year-old infielder came up big again on the road.
Two batters after Michael Crouse led off the tenth against Clemente Mendoza (0-1) with a ringing triple to right-center, Pena punched a line drive into right field for only his third hit of the season, delivering the go-ahead run.
Carlos Perez brought home Pena with a sacrifice fly to provide the final margin.
Lugnuts spot-starter Sam Strickland was reached for seven hits and three runs in 2 1/3 innings, causing Lansing to go to the bullpen early in search of relief.
Marze stepped up first, scattering four hits over 3 2/3 innings with a walk and four strikeouts. Gracey (2-0) followed with three two-hit frames, earning the victory after finishing off a perfect ninth to send the game into extras. Turnbull finished in style, retiring the final three batters in order, two via strikeout, for his league-leading seventh save.
Defense proved significant in the win. Left fielder Marcus Knecht threw out Edwin Gomez at the plate in the fifth inning. In the sixth, right fielder Michael Crouse dropped Hernan Perez's line drive, but recovered to gun down Perez trying for second base.
Manager Mike Redmond and first baseman K.C. Hobson were not around to witness the game's conclusion, each ejected by home plate umpire Alex Ransom after Hobson was called out in strikes in the seventh inning.
In the victory, Jake Marisnick went 2-for-5 with his second home run of the season, a solo shot in the second inning.
On Friday, the Lugnuts play a doubleheader starting at 6:05 p.m. against West Michigan, their third double dip of the week. In Game 1, Lansing left-hander Egan Smith (0-0, 5.00) is scheduled to duel with Whitecaps lefty Kyle Ryan (1-0, 4.50). Lugs right-hander Drew Hutchison (0-0, 2.70) will face 'Caps righty Kevin Eichhorn (0-0, 3.12) in the nightcap.
Lansing returns home for the start of a three-game series vs. Great Lakes on Monday, April 25th. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
Midwest League Stories from April 21, 2011
- Lugnuts Outlast Whitecaps, Seize 1st place - Lansing Lugnuts
- Kernels Hold Off Quad Cities, 4-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Cougars Pound LumberKings - Kane County Cougars
- 'Caps Lose In Extras - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Chiefs Defeat Snappers in Rain-Shortened Contest - Peoria Chiefs
- Bandits Drop Third Straight - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cougars Score Seven Unanswered to Trip Up Kings - Clinton LumberKings
- Loons Downed by Dragons' Doubles - Great Lakes Loons
- Another Rally for Hawks in 3-2 Victory - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Captains Take It to Hot Rods 9-5 - Lake County Captains
- South Bend Holds off TinCaps, 3-2 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Dragons Earn Fifth Straight Win with 2-0 Shutout - Dayton Dragons
- Rattlers hit the road, weather follows them and forces another postponement - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Bees and Timber Rattlers Postponed - Burlington Bees
- Snappers Announce Three Kid's Days this Season - Beloit Sky Carp
- Aquafina MLB Pitch Hit and Run Coming to Clinton on Saturday - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Homestand Preview for April 25-30 - Dayton Dragons
- High School Doubleheader on Friday at Fifth Third Field - Dayton Dragons
- Kernels, MiLB Partner with Kraft Singles for Third Consecutive Season - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Loons, Dow Partner for Dow Student Heroes - Great Lakes Loons
- Dragons Gameday for Thursday, April 21 - Dayton Dragons
- Kernels sweep DH from Clinton - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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