| Tuesday, June 1, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Heartbreak at home for Lugnuts in 5-4 loss to Kernels
LANSING, Mich. – Ryan Goins was thrown out at the plate to end a dramatic bottom of the ninth inning and the Cedar Rapids Kernels (34-18) survived the Lansing Lugnuts (29-22), 5-4, on Tuesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
Trailing 5-1 entering the ninth, the Lugnuts loaded the bases with two outs against reliever David Carpenter and Goins lined a full-count pitch past left fielder Justin Bass for a three-run double. Carpenter tossed three wide pitches to Brad McElroy and the Kernels elected to finish an intentional walk, placing the potential game-winning run on base.
Sean Ochinko followed by sending a bouncer off the glove of shortstop Jon Karcich, his second error of the inning. Goins tore around third base en route to the plate, but second baseman Jean Segura recovered the ball and fired to catcher Carlos Ramirez in time for the game's final out.
Cedar Rapids starter Fabio Martinez (3-1) allowed only an Ochinko solo home run in six innings to earn the win, striking out eight and walking seven.
Ryan Tepera (5-2) suffered the loss, reached for three runs (two earned) on five hits, including solo homers by Jose Jimenez and Mike Trout, in seven innings.
McElroy extended his on-base streak to 25 games in the loss for Lansing.
The Lugnuts had four runners thrown out trying to steal second base, Eric Eiland twice.
Lansing right-hander Ryan Shopshire (2-4, 5.73) will take to the mound on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. against Cedar Rapids right-hander Ariel Pena (0-0, 1.50).
Tickets to all Lugnuts home games are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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