| Thursday, July 15, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Lugnuts split doubleheader with Timber Rattlers
APPLETON, Wisc. – Behind brilliant relief pitching from Steve Turnbull, the Lansing Lugnuts (10-10; 46-43) gained a doubleheader split with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (10-10; 36-52), taking the nightcap, 4-2, after dropping Game 1, 7-4, on Thursday night at Time Warner Cable Field.
Turnbull earned his league-leading 20th save of the year, striking out Hunter Morris, Cutter Dykstra, and Chris Dennis with the bases loaded in the sixth inning before setting the side down in order in the seventh.
The clutch relief effort made a victor of starter Egan Smith (3-0), who allowed two runs on six hits in five innings-plus.
Brad Glen belted a two-run homer to lead the offense, his team-leading ninth home run of the season. Kenny Wilson added an RBI double and two walks from the leadoff spot.
Timber Rattlers starter Nick Bucci (4-4) suffered the loss, striking out eight while allowing all four Lugnuts runs on five hits and three walks in 6 2/3 innings.
In the opener, Dykstra went 2-for-3 with three RBIs as Wisconsin battered Matt Fields (2-4) for 11 hits and six runs in just 2 1/3 innings.
Rattlers starting pitcher Del Howell (2-4) limited Lansing to one run on five hits in five innings to pick up the victory.
The Lugnuts made things close late, shaving into an imposing Wisconsin lead on Balbino Fuenmayor's seventh home run of the year and a pair of runs in the seventh inning.
With the potential game-tying runs on base, however, Jon Pokorny retired Kevin Nolan on a game-ending pop-out to notch his eighth save.
Lansing right-hander Dave Sever (2-6, 4.65) goes to the mound on Friday night at 8:05 p.m. ET opposite Wisconsin right-hander Damon Krestalude (2-4, 5.29) in the series rubber match.
The Lugnuts return home to Cooley Law School Stadium on Wednesday, July 21st, beginning a stretch of nine home games in 10 days. 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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