Starner Stops Wisconsin
July 12, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
LANSING, MI -- Lansing Lugnut starting pitcher Nate Starner scattered eight hits over six innings and struck out nine to beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 8-1 Thursday night at Oldsmobile Park. Lansing scored three runs in the third and four times in the fourth to give Starner more than enough support. The loss was the fifth in a row for the Rattlers.
The Lugnuts (46-43 overall, 11-9 second half) jumped in front in the first inning. Scott Campbell scored from third when Sean Shoffit grounded into a 4-3 double play.
Lansing added three more runs in the bottom of the third. Jonathan Jaspe delivered a two-run double with two outs. Yuber Rodriguez followed with an RBI single for a 4-0 score.
Carlos Peguero got the Rattlers (8-11, 30-57) on the board in the top of the fourth inning. His RBI double scored Juan Diaz from second base and moved Reed Eastley to third. But, with runners at second and third and no outs, Starner made sure the Rattlers got no closer. He struck out the next three batters to end the threat.
Lansing took advantage of a wild streak by Rattler starter Ricky Orta to get four runs in the bottom of the fourth. An error, a walk, and a single loaded the bases for the Lugnuts with one out. Then, Orta walked the next three batters to force in three runs to put the Lugnuts up 7-1. An infield single by Jonathan Baksh off Rattler reliever Brian Kappel capped the scoring for the inning and the game. Orta walked seven and gave up eight hits in 3-1/3 innings to be charged with the loss.
Starner did not walk a batter as he recorded his nine strikeouts for the win. Three Lansing relievers combined for five more strikeouts over the final three innings to wrap up the win.
Game two of the series is set for Friday night. Steve Richard (4-2, 4.14) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Graham Godfrey (4-4, 4.71) is set to start for the Lugnuts. Game time is 7:05pm EDT/6:05pm CDT.
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