MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Silver Hawks Sweep Twinbill From Lugnuts: 9-5, 5-4

Published on April 23, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


LANSING, Mich. - The South Bend Silver Hawks (6-7) came from behind twice, including once in stunning fashion when they were down to their last strike, to sweep a doubleheader from the host Lansing Lugnuts (2-10), 9-5 and 5-4, on Thursday night at Oldsmobile Park.

The pair of losses overshadowed a pair of two-run homers by Lansing's Yohermyn Chavez, one in each game (and off both of South Bend's winning pitchers ironically), and a spectacular pitching performance by Lugnuts starter Chuck Huggins.

In the opener, Lansing took an early 3-0 lead but committed three costly errors, putting runners on base for Alberto Diaz's two-run homer in the fourth and Jake Elmore's three-run homer in the fifth.

After Chavez tied the game at 5-5 in the bottom of the fifth with a two-run roundtripper of this own, Elmore lined a two-run tie-breaking double in the sixth to put South Bend on top for good.

Reliever T.J. Hose (1-0), who served up the Chavez home run, earned the win for the Silver Hawks. Lansing relief pitcher Matt Daly (1-1) suffered the loss, walking four batters in 1 1/3 innings.

In the nightcap, Brian Van Kirk and Chavez each slugged two-run homers, building a 4-1 Lansing lead going to the top of the seventh. Starting pitcher Huggins departed after six brilliant frames, allowing only three hits (including a Nelson Gomez solo home run) while striking out 10 batters.

Three outs away from victory, however, Lugnuts reliever Hunter Moody walked lead-off hitter Alfredo Marte and gave up consecutive singles to Diaz, Gomez, and Chris Davis, scoring a run and loading the bases with none out.

Mike Barbara (0-2) came in for Moody and struck out Isaias Asencio for the first out. Victor Estevez followed with a soft single into right field, bringing home Diaz. Gomez raced for home as well but was thrown out at the plate by Chavez, bringing the Lugnuts one out from victory. South Bend shortstop Reynaldo Navarro worked the count to 2-2 before crushing a two-run off the right field wall, plating Davis and Estevez with the tying and go-ahead runs.

The Lugnuts put the potential tying run at second base with one out and at third base with two outs, but Jon Del Campo popped out to right against Bayron Zepeda to end the game.

Daniel Vasquez (1-0) picked up the victory for the Silver Hawks despite giving up Chavez's home run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Zepeda earned his first save of the season.

On Friday night, the Lugnuts conclude the seven-game homestand with a 7:05 p.m. affair against the Silver Hawks. Right-hander Ryan Koch (0-0, 7.27) will start for Lansing against right-hander Brett Moorhouse (0-1, 5.79) of South Bend.

.Fans possessing tickets to Monday and Tuesday night's rained-out games are encouraged to exchange those tickets in person at the Oldsmobile Park box office for tickets of equal value to a future Lugnuts game.

Check out the Lansing Lugnuts Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from April 23, 2009


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