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MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Lugnuts steal one late from 'Caps

May 17, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


Comstock Park, Mich.- The Lansing Lugnuts had not won a road game this season when trailing after seven innings. Make them 1-for-8. Lansing scored four times in the final two frames to stun the West Michigan Whitecaps 5-3 before 7,509 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark Saturday night.

The Lugnuts trailed by two runs entering the eighth before loading the bases against Whitecap reliever Wilton Garcia. West Michigan then summoned Rudy Darrow from the bullpen to face John Tolisano, who ripped a two-run single through the right side of the infield to knot the game at 3-3.

Darrow's struggles carried over into the ninth, which ultimately cost the Whitecaps the game. Darin Mastroianni stood at second base with one out for Lansing when Moises Sierra bounced a ball right back at the hurler. Darrow's throw to first sailed down the right field line, allowing Mastroianni to go to third and Sierra to reach second. Mastroianni would come home a few pitches later when Darrow unleashed a wild pitch that gave Lansing the 4-3 lead. An insurance run would score later in the frame on a Kevin Ahrens sacrifice fly.

Lansing had several opportunities to tie the game in the sixth and seventh innings while trailing 2-1, but failed to score in each attempt. The Lugnuts had runners at second and third in the sixth, but Manny Rodriguez's line drive turned into a double play when Ahrens was caught running off of second base.

The Lugnuts again put a runner into scoring position in the next frame with less than two out. However consecutive flyouts ended the threat.

West Michigan scored first by plating a run in the opening frame. Kyle Peter started the contest with a bunt single and later scored on Joe Tucker's single to right to put the Whitecaps ahead 1-0.

The Whitecaps pushed across another in the next inning when Lansing starter Luis Perez balked with a runner at third to make it a 2-0 game.

Lansing's only other run of the game prior to the late inning surge came in the fourth on a Rodriguez RBI double.

Alan Farina (3-1) garnered the win for the Lugnuts by throwing three innings of one run relief. He struck out five in the outing where he scattered three hits.

The Whitecaps squandered a terrific start from Lauren Gagnier in the loss. He would not get a decision despite throwing seven innings and allowing just one unearned run.

Darrow (3-2) took the loss for West Michigan after allowing the go-ahead runs to Lansing.

Lansing (21-20) and West Michigan (21-19) will finish the series on Sunday afternoon at Oldsmobile Park in Lansing. A pair of southpaws will take the hill as Marc Rzepczynski (0-0, 2.08) will hurl for the Lugnuts. He will be opposed by the Whitecaps' Jon Kibler (3-1, 2.31).

Sunday is also Kids Day at Oldsmobile Park featuring Pepsi Kids Run the Bases after the game. First pitch is set for 2:05 p.m.

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