MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Whitecaps Outslug Lugnuts In Opener, 13-12

Published on April 10, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - James Robbins blasted a mammoth game-tying homer in the eighth and Rob Brantly lined a game-winning RBI single in the ninth, lifting the West Michigan Whitecaps (1-0) to a season-opening 13-12 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (0-1) on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Lugnuts reliever Dayton Marze (0-1) walked Luis Castillo to open the bottom of the ninth, only to have a failed sacrifice by Dixon Machado erase Castillo from the basepaths. Machado took off early on an attempted steal, but Marze's hurried throw went to first baseman K.C. Hobson instead of toward second base. After a strikeout of Hernan Perez, Brantly sent a sinking liner into center that barely eluded a diving Jake Marisnick. Machado danced home with the winning run, providing a fitting ending for a wild game.

Following three days of postponements in Lansing due to field conditions, the two teams combined for 25 runs on 26 hits, including three home runs.

Lugnuts right fielder Michael Crouse supplied the first roundtripper of the season, cracking a three-run blow to left-center in the seventh to put Lansing up 12-7. In the bottom of the inning, however, Castillo knocked a two-run homer off of reliever Drew Permison and the deficit was trimmed to 12-9.

After the Lugnuts squandered a two-on, none-out situation in the top of the eighth, Robbins delivered a dramatic three-run moonshot to right-center off Marze. The drive landed on top of the double-decker group seating venue, well over 400 feet from home plate.

Bruce Rondon (1-0), the fourth Whitecaps reliever of the game, struck out two batters in a perfect ninth to capture the win.

In defeat, Lansing's offense notched 13 hits with only leadoff hitter Markus Brisker failing to hit safely. Catcher Carlos Perez led the way with a 3-for-5 showing, while Crouse added four RBIs from the #8 slot in the batting order and joined K.C. Hobson and Gustavo Pierre in collecting two base hits.

Lugnuts starter Misaul Diaz lasted only 2 2/3 innings, surrendering five runs (two earned) on five hits and two walks. His Whitecaps counterpart, Kyle Ryan, fared little better, serving up six hits and seven runs (five earned) in just 3 2/3 innings.

Lansing now travels to South Bend to open up a four-game series with the Silver Hawks at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. Left-hander Egan Smith starts for the Lugs opposite right-hander J.R. Bradley.

The Lugnuts return home on Friday, April 15th, to Yooper Night at Cooley Law School Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.

Check out the Lansing Lugnuts Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from April 10, 2011


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