MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Lugnuts Top Whitecaps in Walk-Off, 4-3

Published on April 19, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


LANSING, Mich. - Pinch-runner Markus Brisker scored on A.J. Jimenez's one-out sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth, as the Lansing Lugnuts (2-7) eked out a 4-3 walk-off win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (7-2) on a drizzly Sunday afternoon at Oldsmobile Park.

The Lugnuts had fallen in ten innings to the Whitecaps in each of the first two games of the series, but a team effort capped off by Jimenez ensured that there would be no extra-innings for a third straight day.

Brian Van Kirk led off the ninth inning with a single to center field off of reliever Jared Gayhart (1-1), the first hit allowed by Gayhart in 2009. Brisker was sent out to pinch-run for Van Kirk and daringly stole second base on a 3-0 pitch to Yohermyn Chavez.

An error by second baseman Bryan Wyatt allowed Chavez to reach and moved Brisker to third base, and the Whitecaps elected to intentionally walk Mike McDade to load the bases. Gayhart struck out Justin McClanahan looking before Jimenez skied a fly ball to medium-depth right-center, quite deep enough to score the speedy Brisker with the game-winning run.

Lugnuts right-hander Matt Daly (1-1) earned the win, pitching a perfect 1 1/3 innings.

Lansing starter Josh Wells hurled 5 1/3 strong innings, departing in the sixth with a 3-1 lead thanks to home runs from McClanahan and Van Kirk. But West Michigan third baseman Ronnie Bourquin welcomed incoming reliever Boomer Potts with a two-run double to tie the score, setting up the ninth inning drama.

The Lugnuts look for a series split of the four-game set with the Whitecaps at 7:05 p.m. on Monday night at Oldsmobile Park. Right-hander Henderson Alvarez (1-1, 2.00) will be on the mound for Lansing, opposed by West Michigan left-hander Matt Hoffman (1-0, 0.00).

Check out the Lansing Lugnuts Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from April 19, 2009


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