Nearly-perfect Champlin, Lugnuts sweep twinbill
Published on June 8, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - After Ben White tossed a five-hit shutout in the opener, Kramer Champlin came within one out from a perfect game in the nightcap, lifting the Lansing Lugnuts (27-32) to a doubleheader sweep of the West Michigan Whitecaps (28-32), 3-0 and 2-0, at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday night.
Making his first start of the year in a spot-starting opportunity, Champlin (Win, 3-1) stole the night.
The 6'6 right-hander retired the first 20 Whitecaps batters before Devon Travis's bouncer skipped beneath shortstop Emilio Guerrero's fielding attempt into left field. Champlin responded by striking out Michigan State product Jeff Holm looking, completing his finest professional outing with his tenth strikeout of the night.
The only no-hitter in Lugnuts franchise history remains a combined nine-inning 15-0 victory against Dayton on April 21, 2003, featuring pitchers Justin Jones, Westin O'Brien and Mark Carter.
Lansing scored its only runs on a Christian Lopes RBI single in the first inning and a Dwight Smith, Jr. sacrifice fly in the fifth.
Whitecaps southpaw Logan Ehlers (Loss, 0-3) allowed one run on five hits in four innings in his own spot-starting assignment.
In the opener, right-hander White (Win, 3-3) struck out a season-high seven batters while scattering five hits, all singles.
The Lugnuts offense plated single runs in three different innings, thanks to an RBI single from Chris Hawkins in the second and then a pair of RBI singles by Dwight Smith, Jr. in the fifth and seventh innings.
Whitecaps starter Endrys Briceno (Loss, 2-4) pitched well but was outdueled by White. Briceno allowed two runs on five hits to the Lugs in six innings of work. He struck out four and issued a pair of walks.
The five-game series continues with another doubleheader on Sunday, starting at 1:00 p.m. Game one will see Lansing send Daniel Norris ( 0-4, 5.82) to the mound against Whitecaps' right-hander Charlie Gillies (0-3, 3.00). West Michigan will pitch Julio Felix (0-2, 5.09) in game two while Lansing has yet to announce a starter.
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.
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