| Tuesday, May 15, 2012 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500, extension 233 |
Lugnuts shade Dayton, 2-1, complete sweep
DAYTON, OH – The Lansing Lugnuts (27-11) used a pair of fourth inning sacrifice flies and strong pitching to complete a four-game sweep, topping the Dayton Dragons (14-24), 2-1, on Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field.
The Lugnuts have won all seven meetings with the Dragons in 2012, with each game held in Dayton.
K.C. Hobson and Markus Brisker’s consecutive sacrifice flies in the fourth inning broke a scoreless tie against Dayton starter Tanner Robles (Loss, 2-3).
As it turned out, it was all the offense the Lugs would receive – and it was also all they would need.
Lansing starter Aaron Sanchez struck out five Dragons in four scoreless one-hit innings, decreasing his ERA to 0.67.
Justin Nicolino (Win, 2-0) gave up an RBI single to Juan Perez in the fifth inning to halve the lead, but pitched out of a first-and-third/one-out jam by coaxing a double play ball from Ryan Wright.
The Dragons threatened again in the eighth, placing two runners aboard with two outs, but Nicolino retired Steve Selsky on a fly out to right.
In all, the touted left-hander gave up six hits, walked none and struck out three in his four innings.
Javier Avendano (Save, 1) worked a perfect ninth to finish off Dayton.
In the win, designated hitter Kevin Pillar drew three walks and second baseman Jon Berti swiped his league-leading 16th and 17th bags of the season.
Dayton catcher Yovan Gonzalez was ejected by home plate umpire Dustin Klinghagen for arguing balls and strikes in the fourth inning.
The Lansing Lugnuts now return home for a 7:05 p.m. Ladies NightonWednesday, opening up a three-game series against Fort Wayne on Jackson Field. Right-hander Jesse Hernandez (3-2, 2.39) starts for the Lugs opposite TinCaps right-hander Matt Wisler (1-3, 2.93). Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.# # #
