| Saturday, July 7, 2012 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500, extension 233 |
Rollins, relievers roll Whitecaps, 4-0
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – David Rollins twirled five shutout one-hit innings in the Lansing Lugnuts’ (9-7, 56-29) 4-0 victory over the host West Michigan Whitecaps (8-8, 44-42) on Saturday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Rollins (Win, 6-1) allowed just one walk and did not give up a hit until an infield single in the fourth. It was the only hit the Whitecaps mustered against the lefty who struck out five.
A night after scoring eight runs in the first innings against Great Lakes, the Lugnuts’ offense immediately jumped on Whitecaps starter Wilsen Palacios (Loss, 9-6). Kenny Wilson and Andy Fermin smacked consecutive game-opening doubles for a prompt lead. Kevin Patterson added a sac fly in the first, his 10th RBI in the last five games, putting Lansing up 2-0.
In the sixth inning, Kevin Pillar added an RBI double, and a K.C. Hobson sacrifice fly finished off the scoring.
Three pitcher combined on four shutout innings from the Lugnuts bullpen: Blake McFarland tossed the sixth and seventh frames; Brandon Berl stranded a pair of singles in a scoreless eighth; and Ajay Meyer recorded a perfect ninth inning to complete the Lugs’ Midwest League-leading eleventh shutout of the year.
In the win, center fielder Pillar went 2-for-4 to increase his MWL-leading batting average to .323. Second baseman Fermin went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, his second straight game with three hits.
West Michigan third baseman Edgar Corcino collected three singles in four at-bats in the losing cause, supplying half of the Whitecaps’ hits for the evening.
The second game of the series is on Sunday, July 8th, with first pitch set for 1:00 p.m. Lansing sends right-hander Noah Syndergaard (5-2, 3.22) to the mound opposite Whitecaps southpaw Kyle Ryan (5-3, 3.73) in the starting matchup.
The Lugs return home on Wednesday, July 11th, opening a six-game homestand on Jackson Field. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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