| Wednesday, June 2, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Lugnuts hold off Kernels, 8-6
LANSING, Mich. – Steve Turnbull coaxed a game-ending double play grounder from Casey Haerther with the tying runs on base and the Lansing Lugnuts (30-22) dealt the first place Cedar Rapids Kernels (34-19) an 8-6 defeat on Wednesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The Lugnuts brought an 8-2 lead into the ninth inning, but the Kernels collected five singles to bring the deficit within four runs and chase reliever Nestor Molina.
Turnbull entered from the bullpen and was greeted by a two-run single by Jean Segura, bringing up Haerther with the potential tying runs at first and third. The Cedar Rapids cleanup hitter, who had homered earlier in the game, sent a grounder to shortstop Ryan Goins, who began a 6-4-3 double play to clinch the Lugnuts victory.
Lugnuts starter Ryan Shopshire (3-4) earned the victory with six solid innings, allowing two runs on seven hits. Turnbull earned his 13th save in as many opportunities, tops in the Midwest League.
Ariel Pena (0-1) suffered the loss for Cedar Rapids, reached for two runs in the first and one in the fifth before getting sent to the showers in the midst of a five-run seventh.
A.J. Jimenez and Ryan Goins each went 3-for-4 in the win for Lansing, while Kernels center fielder Mike Trout went 4-for-5 to raise his league-leading average to .376 in defeat.
The Lugnuts and Kernels will play the rubber match of their series on a Labatt Blue Light Thirsty Thursday, with Lansing right-hander Dave Sever (1-2, 4.50) opposing Cedar Rapids left-hander Tyler Skaggs (3-2, 2.37). First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
Tickets to all Lansing 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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