LANSING – The big bats that the Lansing Lugnuts flashed at the beginning of the season returned on Saturday afternoon, as they pounded out 17 hits in a 10-4 thrashing of the Kane County Cougars before 2,734 fans at Oldsmobile Park. The win salvages a game for the Lugnuts, who dropped 2-of-3 in the series.

For the second straight day, the Lugnuts jumped on Kane County in the first inning. Unlike Friday night, they would not give up the lead. Raul Barron, Kevin Ahrens, Manny Rodriguez, and Yohermyn Chavez had four straight singles, the final two driving in runs, to put Lansing ahead 2-0 after one inning.

Joel Collins added onto the lead for Lansing in the next frame when he blasted a solo homer to left field, making it a 3-0 game. It was his first hit of the year after starting 0-for-14.

The Cougars cut into the lead by plating one run in the fourth inning, but Lansing quickly responded with a six-run, two out rally to put the game out of reach. Justin Jackson started the barrage with a solo shot to center field, pushing the lead to 4-1 for Lansing.

Barron then doubled and moved to third base when Ahrens was able to reach base on a fielding error by Kane County shortstop Walter Correa. Rogriguez followed that by bringing both runners home with a double off of the left-center field wall, making it a 6-1 game. The two-runs ran his RBI total for 20 this season, leading the league in that category.

The big inning continued when Adam Calderone and Moises Sierra each added RBI singles, and Calderone would later score on Correa's second error of the frame to cap the scoring at 9-1.

By the time that the inning had ended, Lansing had sent up 11 batters to the plate. Every Lugnut in the starting lineup also finished the game with at least one hit.

The run support was more than enough for the Lugnuts pitching staff, as four hurlers held the Cougars to four runs on seven hits.

Chi-Hung Cheng (2-0) got the win in relief by throwing four innings and surrendering three runs on five hits.

Scott Hodsdon (0-2) suffered the loss for the Cougars after allowing seven runs on 11 hits over 3 2/3 innings. Only four of the runs were earned to him.

The loss for the Cougars marks the first time that they have been defeated on the road this season after starting 9-0.

Lansing (9-7) will take Sunday off before returning to action on Monday night at Oldsmobile Park when they host the Peoria Chiefs at 6:05 p.m. Kyle Ginley (2-0, 1.53) will take the mound for the Lugnuts, while Alberto Carbera (1-1, 3.95) is expected to start for the Chiefs.

AUDIO HIGHLIGHTS
2nd: Joel Collins gets his first hit of the year, a homer.
4th: Justin Jackson smacks a shot over the center field wall.