Whitecaps deal Lugnuts first loss, 5-4
Published on April 13, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - 18-year-old Danry Vasquez lined a two-run go-ahead home run in the bottom of the eighth inning, and the West Michigan Whitecaps (4-4) dealt the Lansing Lugnuts (7-1) their first defeat, 5-4, on Friday the 13th at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The Lugnuts, who set a franchise record for wins at the start of a season, were the final Major or Minor League team to lose a game in 2012.
After Lansing broke a 3-3 tie in the top of the eighth on a Jon Berti sacrifice fly, the Whitecaps answered against reliever Tyler Ybarra (Loss, 0-1).
Steven Moya led off the home eighth with a walk, part of a 2-for-2, HR, two-walk showing for the 6'7 right fielder. Two batters later, Vasquez crushed his first home run of the season to right-center, putting West Michigan on top.
The blow made a victor of Jade Todd (1-0), who had given up the Lugnuts' run in the top half of the inning.
Lansing did not go quietly. In the ninth, Carlos Perez slugged a two-out, two-strike triple off reliever Dan Bennett (Save, 1), but he was stranded there when Bennett struck out Kevin Pillar.
In defeat, Perez enjoyed a breakout 3-for-5 day with a single, double, triple and a run scored. Pillar also finished 3-for-5, adding a double, RBI, run scored and a stolen base.
The Lugs send right-hander Aaron Sanchez (1-0, 0.00) to the mound for the third game in the four-game series, opposed by West Michigan right-hander Brennan Smith (1-0, 0.00). Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark .
Lansing returns to Cooley Law School Stadium at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, April 16th, opening a three game homestand against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
Midwest League Stories from April 13, 2012
- Bees Close to Second Comeback - Burlington Bees
- Kernels' rally falls short in 6-5 loss to Quad Cities - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons Rally in Ninth to Even Series - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Dragons' 9th Inning Rally Leads to 6-4 Win - Dayton Dragons
- Cougars Win Slugfest Over Bees - Kane County Cougars
- Loons Walk-Off with 5-4 Win - Great Lakes Loons
- Wisconsin wins - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Castillo, Bandits Strong Enough to Get by Kernels - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Chiefs Fall 5-2 Friday - Peoria Chiefs
- Whitecaps deal Lugnuts first loss, 5-4 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Late Loons Offensive Downs TinCaps 5-4 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Markel's Mastery, First-Inning Runs Enough - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Captains Lose 2-1 - Lake County Captains
- Opening Weekend of High School Games at Fifth Third - Dayton Dragons
- Timber Rattlers Let Fans Save Coin for Cans During this Homestand - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Palm Trees to be Planted Monday Morning - Peoria Chiefs
- Dragons Gameday for April 13 - Dayton Dragons
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
