| Friday, August 27, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Caps drop Lugnuts three games back with 2-1 win
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – The West Michigan Whitecaps (31-29; 57-72) edged the Lansing Lugnuts (28-31; 64-64), 2-1, in the rubber match of a three-game series, sinking the Lugnuts three games out of the final Eastern Division playoff spot with 10 games to go in the regular season.
Lansing had won the first game of the series to pull within one game of the Whitecaps, but fell victim to strong West Michigan pitching and a lack of clutch hitting.
The Lugnuts stranded nine baserunners in the game, going 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position. The squad's only run scored came thanks to a lead-off triple by Brad Glenn in the fourth inning and a subsequent wild pitch from West Michigan starter Victor Larez.
Larez (8-10) fired 6 1/3 strong innings to earn the victory, scattering seven hits and striking out three. Zach Samuels bridged the gap to the ninth with 1 2/3 scoreless frames, and Kenny Faulk struck out a pair in the ninth to record his 11th save.
Drew Hutchison (0-2) suffered the loss, allowing only a bases-loaded walk in the second inning and a Clay Jones RBI single in the third (unearned due to an earlier error by shortstop Kevin Nolan).
The Lugnuts' bullpen combined to fire four scoreless innings, three by Nestor Molina and a perfect frame by Casey Beck.
Lansing returns home Saturday with the 7:05 p.m. opener of a four-game series against the Dayton Dragons. LAFCU Fireworks will follow the game. The starting matchup will see Lugs left-hander Egan Smith (6-3, 4.65) duel with Dayton right-hander Clayton Shunick (2-1, 3.07).
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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