Whitecaps hang on late, beat Lugnuts 3-2
Published on June 27, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
Comstock Park, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts had several opportunities at a comeback in the final three innings Friday night, but fell one run shy of the West Michigan Whitecaps in a 3-2 loss at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The game featured two rain delays, one during the second inning and one after the sixth for a total of 1 hour and 50 minutes.
The Whitecaps snagged the lead in the first. Justin Henry started the rally by doubling to to right field before moving to third on the same play when Lansing right fielder Moises Sierra bobbled the baseball. Roger Tomas then singled home Henry to put the Whitecaps up 1-0.
Audy Ciriaco came up two batters later and cranked a two-run homer beyond the left-center field wall that pushed the lead to 3-0 for West Michigan.
Lansing was able to put a run up in the third when Mike McDade moved to third on a Raul Barron single into center field and then came home when center fielder Kyle Peter misplayed it. However Yohermyn Chavez over ran third base and was thrown out at home later in the play, ending the threat for the Lugnuts.
The Lugnuts were able to load the bases with two out in the seventh inning when play resumed after the second delay, but were unable to push anyone across the plate.
Reliever Rudy Darrow retired the first two batters of the eighth before John Tolisano blated a solo homer that pulled Lansing within one run at 3-2.
Lansing was then able to load the bases for the second straight frame, but Moises Sierra was just beat out by a throw at first base, ending the Lansing rally.
The Lugnuts had one final opportunity in the ninth, getting runners to first and second base, but again came up short, as they left eight runners on base in the final three innings.
Brian Letko (0-1) made his first start for Lansing and pitched effectively after allowing the three first inning runs, but he took the loss. He did not surrender a hit after the initial frame and struck out six in five innings of work.
Former Michigan State Spartan Jon Kibler (7-3) started for the Whitecaps and threw six innings of baseball. He allowed just one unearned run on four hits while earning the win.
Noah Krol recorded the final out for his 11th save.
Lansing (45-33, 6-3) and West Michigan (41-36, 4-5) will continue the series on Saturday night. Trystan Magnuson (0-7, 6.26) will go after his first professional win for the Lugnuts. He will be opposed by Thad Weber, who is making his first appearance of the year for the Whitecaps. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m.
Midwest League Stories from June 27, 2008
- Ciriaco's first inning homer stands up - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Whitecaps hang on late, beat Lugnuts 3-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
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- Bees Come Back From Four Run Deficit to Beat Wisconsin - Burlington Bees
- Cougars lose heartbreaker - Kane County Cougars
- Bees down Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Bandits break out bats in victory - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Big Sixth Inning Lifts Wizards to Win over Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Loons Win Rain-Shortened Affair - Great Lakes Loons
- Napoleon is Vancouver-Bound: Cougars Pick Up Two Players - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs All-Star Reliever Blake Parker Promoted to Iowa - Peoria Chiefs
- Two '08 Draftees Join 'Caps; Hamilton - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Arias Dominates as Snappers Improve to 7-1 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Bullpen struggles in 5-2 Kernels loss to Wisconsin - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Kernels hold on to win suspended game, 15-14 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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