Viola returns as Lugs blow out Loons
June 9, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - After nearly seven years away from affiliated baseball, Frank Viola III returned to the mound as Dickie Joe Thon and the Lansing Lugnuts' offense erupted for 15 hits in a 9-1 rout of the Great Lakes Loons at Cooley Law School Stadium.
With the win over the Loons (30-42), the Lugs (29-34) ended a four-game losing streak to close out the final homestand of the first half.
Equipped with a new knuckleballing style, Viola pitched four scoreless innings in his Lansing debut, scattering three hits and four walks while striking out four Loons and stranding eight runners on base.
Thon led the Lansing offense, going 4-for-4 with a double and a triple, finishing the night with an RBI and three runs scored.
After opening with four scoreless innings, Great Lakes starter Brandon Martinez (Loss, 1-2) gave up four runs in the fifth to end his night.
Lansing right fielder Chaz Frank went 3-for-5, including a three-run double in the sixth inning to push the Lugnuts ahead 7-1.
Center fielder D.J. Davis drove in a pair of runs, going 2-for-5 and scored two runs of his own. First baseman L.B. Dantzler also had two RBIs.
Reliever Yeyfry Del Rosario (Win, 1-1) allowed a run on three innings with a walk and a strikeout. Brady Dragmire finished the night off with two shutout innings.
The Lugnuts head to Fort Wayne on Tuesday to open a three-game series with the TinCaps at Parkview Field. Right-hander Jeremy Gabryzwski (4-2, 3.39) starts on the mound for Lansing, with righty Erik Cabrera (2-4, 2.89) pitching for Fort Wayne.
Tickets are available for purchase via the stadium box office, telephone at 517-485-4500 and online at lansinglugnuts.com . To sign up for Lugnuts Alerts, text LUGNUTS to 80373.
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