| Wednesday, July 21, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Smith, Lugnuts outduel first place Cougars, 2-1
LANSING, Mich. – Egan Smith pitched six scoreless innings and Sean Ochinko twice scored Kenny Wilson with sacrifice flies, lifting the Lansing Lugnuts (13-12; 49-45) to a tight 2-1 victory over the Kane County Cougars (16-9; 48-46) on Wednesday evening on Jackson Field.
Wilson led off the bottom of the first inning against Kane County starter Justin Marks (3-11) with a double. A Kevin Nolan sacrifice bunt and Ochinko sac fly quickly scored the game's first run.
Four innings later, Wilson and Nolan combined for consecutive singles and Ochinko came through with another sacrifice fly for his 41st RBI of the season.
The two manufactured runs proved enough against the Western Division leaders, thanks to another strong performance from the Lugnuts' 21-year-old southpaw.
Smith (4-0) scattered four hits and three walks while striking out five to earn the victory, allowing only runner as far as third base. The Lugnuts improved to 6-0 during his starts.
The Cougars threatened in the eighth inning against Aaron Loup, putting runners at second and third with none out. Nestor Molina relieved Loup and escaped the jam on a strikeout, an Anthony Aliotti sacrifice fly (for Kane County's only run), and a groundout.
Molina retired the side in order in the ninth for his third save.
Brad Glenn went 3-for-4 in the triumph for Lansing, aided by a pair of hits contributed by A.J. Jimenez.
With manager Sal Fasano on a brief four-day break back home in Chicago, the Lugnuts were managed by Hitting Coach John Tamargo, Jr.
The Lugnuts send right-hander Dave Sever (3-6, 4.63) to the mound on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. against Cougars northpaw Kenny Smalley (0-0, 0.00) for the middle affair of the three-game series.
The WILX Summer Entertainment Series presents Neil Diamond Tribute Night at Cooley Law School Stadium, combining a Labatt Blue Light Thirsty Thursday with a free post-game tribute concert to Neil Diamond.
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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