| Saturday, April 28, 2012 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500, extension 233 |
LumberKings rally in 8th to cut down Lugnuts
LANSING, Mich. – The Clinton LumberKings (10-13) rallied for six runs in the eighth inning to cut down the Lansing Lugnuts (17-6), 6-2, on Saturday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The Lugnuts led 2-0 entering the eighth, with Blake McFarland (Loss, 1-1) entering the frame coming off a pair of scoreless innings. But McFarland surrendered three hits, a walk and the lead before Javier Avendano entered the 2-2 game with two on, two out and two runs in already. Ramon Morla welcomed Avendano with a ground ball up the middle, seemingly playable for Jon Berti until it ricocheted off second base and allowed the go-ahead run to score.
Mike Dowd followed with an RBI single and Guillermo Pimentel capped off the turnaround with a two-run double.
The late rally spoiled another great start by Marcus Walden, who allowed only one hit that came in his final inning of work, the fifth. The righty did not give up a run while striking out four and walking three in the no-decision.
His counterpart, Clinton starter Jordan Shipers, proved he was equal to the task by retiring the first nine hitters he faced on groundballs.
Jon Berti ended the stretch with a leadoff single in the fourth, coming around on Kenny Wilson’s RBI double with the game’s first run. Wilson scored Lansing’s second and final tally after Shipers threw away a pickoff attempt and center fielder Jamal Austin’s throw toward third bounced off Wilson’s back and down the leftfield line.
In defeat, Carlos Perez went 2-for-4 with a double for the Lugs.
Clinton’s Josh Corrales (Win, 1-0) relieved Shipers in the seventh and allowed just one earned run over 2 1/3 innings of work.
The Lansing Lugnuts continue their six-game homestand at Cooley Law School Stadium with a Kids Day Sunday, April 29th, at 2:00 p.m., offering kids a chance to play catch on the field before the game with Kids Run the Bases after the game. Lugs prized prospect left-hander Justin Nicolino (0-0, 0.00) starts opposite LumberKings righty Trevor Miller (1-1, 3.72).
Tickets are available online at the team website at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
# # #
