| Friday, July 2, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Lugnuts outlast Silver Hawks, 11-9
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Lansing Lugnuts (5-3; 41-36) raced out to an early 9-2 lead and held off a furious South Bend Silver Hawks (4-3; 34-41) comeback for a wild 11-9 victory on Friday night at The Cove.
The game featured 20 runs, 30 hits, seven errors, and 21 runners left on base between the two teams.
After the Lugnuts battered South Bend starter Brad Gemberling (2-5) for nine runs in 3 2/3 innings, the Silver Hawks struck back in the sixth against reliever Scott Gracey.
After a two-out error by third baseman Kevin Ahrens, his second error of the game, South Bend narrowed the deficit to 9-4 on a bases-loaded walk and a Matt Davidson RBI single. Ramon Castillo followed with a grand slam to left field, shaving the Lansing lead to a run.
The Lugnuts added a pair of important insurance runs in the ninth, aided by South Bend's fifth error of the game, a throwing error by Castillo.
Three straight two-out Silver Hawks singles in the bottom of the ninth against Brian Slover tightened the score, but Steve Turnbull coaxed a game-ending fielder's choice from pinch-hitter Andrew Fie to finally close out the win.
Ryan Shopshire (5-6) hurled five innings to pick up the win for Lansing, allowing eight hits and two runs while striking out six. Turnbull earned his league-leading 18th save.
In the win, Kevin Nolan went 3-for-5 with a walk and three RBIs to extend his team-high hitting streak to 16 games while Ryan Goins went 3-for-5 with three runs scored to reach base in his 17th straight game. Every single member of the Lugnuts starting lineup hit safely.
South Bend manager Mark Haley was ejected from the game in the second inning for disputing bases umpire Nick Mahrley's call that Tyson Van Winkle was doubled up at first base following a Victor Estevez lineout to right.
The rubber match of the three-game series will be played at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, pitting Lansing right-hander Matt Fields (1-3, 3.98) against Silver Hawks right-hander Diogenes Rosario (4-2, 2.28).
The Lansing Lugnuts' next home game is on Sunday, July 4th, at Cooley Law School Stadium, a special 7:05 p.m. start time with LAFCU Fireworks following the game.
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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