McClanahan, Lugnuts Outslug Loons, 9-8
June 10, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - Justin McClanahan capped off a five-run seventh inning with a three-run homer, catapulting the Lansing Lugnuts (23-35) to a come-from-behind 9-8 victory over the Great Lakes Loons (30-29) on Wednesday night at Oldsmobile Park.
In the first meeting of the year between the two Eastern Division rivals, taking place in Lansing's 56th game of the season, Great Lakes built leads of 5-0, 7-3, and 8-4.
None of the leads proved enough.
After Balbino Fuenmayor singled and Chris Emanuele doubled him to third with one out in the seventh, Tyler Pastornicky's two-run single brought the Lugnuts within 8-6. Great Lakes went to its bullpen, bringing in right-hander Kyle Smit (1-3) in place of fellow reliever Robert Boothe. Pastornicky immediately stole second base on Smit's first pitch to Brian Van Kirk. Van Kirk would subsequently work a walk from Smit, and he and Pastornicky executed a double steal as Johermyn Chavez struck out.
McClanahan followed by working the count to 2-2 before launching his sixth home run of the year over the wall in right-center, giving Lansing its first lead of the game.
Ryan Koch (2-4) earned the victory, pitching 2 1/3 innings in relief of starter Henderson Alvarez. Hunter Moody worked a scoreless eighth inning and Matt Daly picked up his eleventh save with a perfect ninth.
The comeback overshadowed an off start for Alvarez, who allowed five runs on six hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Lansing's offense collected 10 hits in the game, three of them by lead-off hitter Chris Emanuele.
On Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. at Oldsmobile Park, the Lugnuts will host a special 80s Night edition of the popular Labatt Blue Light Thirsty Thursday. Left-hander John Anderson (1-4, 5.08) will start for Lansing against Great Lakes right-hander Josh Walter (3-1, 2.78).
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