Patterson powers Lugs to 12th inning triumph
August 9, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - Kevin Patterson slugged a walk-off two-run homer in the bottom of the 12th inning to give the Lansing Lugnuts (19-29, 51-66) a 7-5 series-clinching win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (23-22, 56-59) in front of 11,166 fans at Cooley Law School Stadium on Friday night.
With the game tied, 5-5, in the bottom of the 12th inning, Christian Lopes hit a one-out single against Whitecaps' reliever Angel Nesbitt (Loss, 3-3). Patterson followed with a towering fly ball to right field, barely landing onto the grass berm and clearing the fence above a leaping Jake Stewart, sending the Lugs home with a win.
For Patterson, it was his 17th home run of the season and it gave Lansing their fourth walk-off victory of the season.
The Lugnuts led 5-2 entering the ninth inning and called upon closer Arik Sikula, but an RBI single by Jeff Holm and a two-run double by Dean Green brought the Whitecaps screaming back, tying the game, 5-5, and sending it into extra-innings.
Lansing got ahead early against West Michigan starter Jake Thompson as Jason Leblebijian laced a double deep into left-center field, scoring a pair to put the Lugs ahead, 2-0. Emilio Guerrero followed up with a two-run single, scoring two more runs to give Lansing a 4-0 lead.
Another run was tacked on in the third inning thanks to an RBI single by Santiago Nessy but the lead would not hold.
Thompson lasted 4.2 innings for the Whitecaps, allowing five runs - three earned - on seven Lansing hits. He struggled with his command, walking five hitters while striking out three.
Lansing starter Daniel Norris pitched well, but took a no-decision in four scoreless innings of work. The 20-year old struck out six with four walks, allowing just a pair of hits.
Chad Girodo (Win, 1-0) pitched two scoreless innings, the 11th and 12th, to earn his first professional win.
The Lugs now hit the road for a brief three-game series against the Great Lakes Loons, affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The series opens up Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. from Dow Diamond with Lansing lefty Matt Boyd (0-1, 1.00) taking on Loons' right-hander Brandon Martinez (1-3, 4.70).
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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