| Thursday, April 8, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Lugnuts lose opener in extras, 6-5
DAYTON, Ohio – DiDi Gregorius sliced a two-strike, two-out, game-winning RBI single down the left field line, lifting the host Dayton Dragons (1-0) to a 6-5 11-inning win over the Lansing Lugnuts (0-1) on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field.
Kevin Coddington opened the bottom of the 11th with a leadoff single against Lugnuts reliever Evan Crawford (0-1). After consecutive groundouts moved Coddington to third base, Gregorius played the hero with his fourth hit of the game.
Donnie Joseph (1-0) earned the win with a perfect 11th.
Joseph entered the game in place of Dayton left-hander Justin Walker, who relieved starter Josh Ravin with two outs in the fourth inning and tossed 6 1/3 stalwart frames.
The loss overshadowed a fine performance from Lugnuts second baseman Ryan Schimpf. The LSU product went 2-for-5 with four RBIs in his Midwest League debut, including a game-tying three-run homer in the seventh inning.
Nuts starter Ryan Shopshire hurled five innings, allowing seven hits and five runs (four earned). Nestor Molina and Dustin Antolin followed with four perfect innings.
Lugnuts leadoff hitter Kenny Wilson reached base four times (double, two walks, hit-by-pitch), shortstop Ryan Goins belted his first career pro home run, and left fielder Eric Eiland contributed three singles in the losing cause.
Lansing and Dayton play the second game in their three-game series on Friday night at 7 p.m. Right-hander Matt Fields will take to the hill for the Nuts against Dragons northpaw Pedro Villarreal.
On Wednesday, April 14, at 7:05 p.m., the Lugnuts open their home schedule with an Opening Day Eat-a-Palooza. For $15, fans can purchase a ticket to see the Lugnuts battle the Lake County Captains and enjoy unlimited food inside the ballpark. Additionally, the inaugural Lansing Lugnuts Hall of Fame class will be inducted in a special pre-game ceremony.
Tickets to the April 26th Crosstown Showdown as well as the entire Lugnuts’ 2010 home schedule are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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