MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Lugnuts Survive Late Scare To Take 9-8 Victory

Published on May 22, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (20-23) survived a ninth-inning scare with a 9-8 victory over the Lake County Captains (15-28) on Wednesday afternoon before a crowd of 8,716 at Cooley Law School Stadium.

With the win, Lansing has extended its season-high winning streak to seven straight games and is 6-0 on its current seven-game homestand. The Lugs have won 11 of their last 13 contests.

Trailing 9-3 entering the ninth inning, the Captains rallied back to score five runs, eventually placing the game-tying run on second base. Jorge Martinez, Erik Gonzalez, Dorssys Paulino and Jeremy Lucas each supplied run-scoring hits in the ninth inning off Lugnuts' relievers Ian Kadish and Arik Sikuka.

But with Lucas at second base following an RBI double, Sikula struck out Nellie Rodriguez to end the threat and the game, converting his fourth save of the season.

On a Grand Slam School Day that saw the game's first pitch come in at 10:43 a.m., Erik Gonzalez set off some early fireworks, leading off with a solo homer on the first pitch of the game. Dorssys Paulino tripled and scored on a sac fly, giving Lake County a quick 2-0 lead.

The Lugnuts immediately responded in the home half of the first.

Carlos Pompey walked, stole second, took third on a wild pitch and then scored on a Christian Lopes RBI single, cutting the Captains' lead to 2-1. Kevin Patterson followed with a towering two-run homer to put the Lugs on top 3-2. After Gustavo Pierre doubled, Carlos Ramirez golfed a two-run shot of his own out to left, putting the Lugs ahead 5-2.

Lansing added three significant insurance runs in the bottom of the seventh, with Patterson scoring the ultimate game-winning run in the seventh after an RBI single from Chris Hawkins.

Lansing starter Ben White (Win, 2-3) settled down after the two-run first, finishing with three total runs allowed in five innings pitched. White allowed six hits, walked three and struck out four.

Despite striking out a season-high eight batters, Captains starter Luis Dejesus (Loss, 0-5) was roughed up early in his four-inning outing. The Texan right-hander allowed six runs - all of them earned - on seven Lansing hits, while also issuing a pair of walks.

The series finale is set for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch on Thursday night. Lansing will look to complete the sweep with lefty Daniel Norris (0-3, 7.71) on the mound taking on Lake County's southpaw Ryan Merritt (2-3, 3.35).

Lansing Lugnuts tickets are available for purchase at lansinglugnuts.com and by calling 517-485-4500, and Lugnuts text alerts are easily accessed by texting LUGNUTS to 313131.

Check out the Lansing Lugnuts Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from May 22, 2013


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.

OurSports Central