Cedar Rapids, Iowa– For the second consecutive day, the Lansing Lugnuts received an outstanding performance from their starting pitcher. This time they turned it into a win, as they beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels 3-1 at Veterans Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Brad Mills (1-0) was spectacular for Lansing, as he tossed six innings and allowed just two hits for his first win of the year. He also fanned eight batters in a game that saw occasional snow squalls blow through the ballpark on a cold, windy day.

The Lugnuts could had problems solving the Kernels' starting pitcher as well. Michael Anton (0-1), who ended up with the loss, threw 6 1/3 innings and surrendered just one run on three hits.

The only run that he gave up came in the seventh, when Lansing received three straight singles from Darin Mastroianni, Jonathan Jaspe, and John Tolisano. Tolisano's single plated Mastroianni and gave Lansing the 1-0 lead. That run snapped a 30 inning scoreless streak for the Kernels' pitching staff.

Lansing added two more runs in the following inning when Jaspe ripped a two-run single into center field off of reliever Ysmael Carmona to push the lead to 3-0.

The Lugnuts bullpen took over from there, as Ross Buckwalter threw two frames of scoreless relief. Cody Crowell then entered the game in the ninth and allowed just one run en route to his first save of the year.

Lansing (7-2) and Cedar Rapids (4-5) will play the rubber game of the series Sunday afternoon beginning at 3:00 p.m. Luis Perez (0-0, 6.23) will make the start for Lansing, while Trevor Reckling (0-0, 13.50) will take the mound for the Kernels.

AUDIO HIGHLIGHTS
7th: John Tolisano puts Lansing ahead 1-0.
8th: Jonathan Jaspe's two-run single extends the lead.