| Friday, May 25, 2012 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500, extension 233 |
Lugnuts rally to sweep Dragons, 8-7
LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts (34-13) used a five-run third inning to overcome an early deficit, downing the Dayton Dragons (17-31), 8-7, on Friday night on Jackson Field to complete a three-game sweep.
The Lugnuts improved to 10-0 against the Dragons in the season series.
Trailing 5-2 entering the bottom of the third against Dragons starter Radhames Quesada (Loss, 1-6), Carlos Perez ignited the Lugs’ offense with his third home run of the year. Five consecutive singles followed, tying the score at 5-5, before Lansing took the lead for good on a Kellen Sweeney double play grounder and a run-scoring error by shortstop Juan Perez.
Right fielder Chris Hawkins led the offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, a walk and two runs scored. It was Hawkins’ fourth consecutive multi-hit game. K.C. Hobson aided the cause, scoring a pair and recorded his 22nd RBI with a fourth inning sacrifice fly. Kevin Pillar added two hits, and a run as part of a 2-for-4 day.
The Lugs found themselves in an early hole after Lansing starter Marcus Walden gave up four runs in the first inning, but the righty settled down and finished four innings, serving up five runs on five hits while issuing four walks.
Eric Brown (Win, 2-0) relieved Walden in the fifth and tossed three innings, allowed one run on just two hits and no walks while striking out three.
Ajay Meyer pitched around a one-out error in the ninth to earn his Midwest League-leading 17th save.
In the last eight games, the Lugnuts bullpen (excluding piggyback starters) have allowed just two earned runs in 26 2/3 innings.
The Lugs continue their seven-game homestand with the Lake County Captains coming to Cooley Law School Stadium. The four-game series begins on Saturday, May 26th, with postgame LAFCU Fireworks. Right-hander Aaron Sanchez (5-0), 0.58) starts for Lansing at 7:05 p.m., opposed by Lake County righty Cody Anderson (4-2, 2.05). Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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