Rodriguez, Whitecaps Stymie Lugnuts, 6-2

July 5, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release

LANSING, Mich. - Jesus Rodriguez brought a shutout into the eighth inning, and the West Michigan Whitecaps (8-7, 44-41) topped the Lansing Lugnuts (10-5, 53-32), 6-2, on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

The Lugnuts won the opener of the four-game home-and-home series, but the Whitecaps struck back to win the last three - one in Comstock Park and the last two in Lansing.

A night after 20-year-old Elvin Rodriguez held the Lugnuts to three runs in six innings, the unrelated 20-year-old Jesus Rodriguez (Win, 5-4) came within one out of eight scoreless innings before allowing an RBI double to Norberto Obeso on his 100th pitch. Freddy Rodriguez followed with an RBI double against reliever Felix Viloria, giving Rodriguez two runs allowed in 7 2/3 innings of seven-hit, two-walk, five-strikeout work.

Lugnuts spot-starter Andrew Deramo (Loss, 2-1) gave up five runs, four earned, in the three innings of action - a Rey Rivera RBI double in the first inning, and then RBI base hits from Garrett McCain and Brock Deatherage in a four-run third inning.

Brayden Bouchey followed with 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run on five walks. Dany Jimenez and Brody Rodning held the Whitecaps scoreless from there, hurling 2 1/3 innings apiece.

In the loss, Obeso, Brandon Grudzielanek and Kevin Vicuña each notched two base hits.

The South Bend Cubs arrive in town on Friday, opening a four-game series at Cooley Law School Stadium. Left-hander Matt Gunter (4.76) starts for Lansing at 7:05 p.m., opposing Cubs right-hander Erling Moreno (9.00). LAFCU Fireworks follow the game. To purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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Midwest League Stories from July 5, 2018

• Cubs Blank Hot Rods 3-0 to Split Series - South Bend Cubs
• TinCaps Rally in the Bottom of the 10th to Sweep Loons - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Whitecaps Walk Their Way to Victory - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Rodriguez, Whitecaps Stymie Lugnuts, 6-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
• LumberKings fall flat in 4-1 loss to Cougars - Clinton LumberKings
• Bandits Held to Two Hits in 2-1 Loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Superb Pitching Gives Snappers 2-1 Win in Series Finale - Beloit Sky Carp
• Hot Rods Can't Get Offense in Gear, Fall To Cubs 3-0 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
• Fort Wayne Stuns Loons in Ten-Inning Thriller - Great Lakes Loons
• Ober Collects 12 Strikeouts in 8-1 Win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Captains Edge Dragons 5-4, Earn Series Split - Dayton Dragons
• Cougars Split Series with LumberKings - Kane County Cougars
• Kernels Beat Wisconsin 8-1 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Chiefs/Bees Rained out Thursday - Peoria Chiefs
• Snappers Return Home for Four After Fourth - Beloit Sky Carp
• TinCaps Game Notes: July 5 vs. Great Lakes (Game 84) - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Bandits Release Playoff Ticket Packages - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Dragons Notes for Thursday - Dayton Dragons
• Rickey Ramirez joins Kernels from Elizabethton - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Gore Goes Six in TinCaps Shutout Win on Fourth - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• 5,441 see LumberKings fall to Cougars on the fourth - Clinton LumberKings
• Cougars End Skid on Independence Day - Kane County Cougars
• Cubs Fall in Fourth of July Battle in Bowling Green 5-2 - South Bend Cubs
• Chiefs Win 13-4 Wednesday - Peoria Chiefs

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