2010-04-28

Jenkins, Lugnuts shut out Whitecaps, 6-0


COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Top prospect Chad Jenkins struck out nine over eight dominating innings to earn his first professional victory as the Lansing Lugnuts (12-7) shut out the West Michigan Whitecaps (6-13), 6-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Drafted 20th overall in 2009 by the Blue Jays, the big right-hander had to wait until 2010 to make his pro debut. He took the mound on Tuesday night for his fourth start carrying a 5.63 ERA. It dropped nearly two runs after this performance.
Jenkins (1-1) scattered six hits and one walk in the finest performance of the young season by a Lugnuts starter. After Mike Gosse was thrown out at the plate to end the first inning, he did not allow a Whitecaps runner past second base.
An opportunistic Lugnuts offense tallied once in the first inning against West Michigan starter Giovanni Soto (1-2) before using shaky Whitecaps defense to score twice in the sixth, once in the seventh, and twice in the eighth innings against the 'Caps' bullpen.
Soto (1-2) suffered the hard-luck loss, striking out eight Lugnuts while allowing six hits in 4 2/3 innings.
Evan Crawford pitched the ninth for the Lugnuts, who have won nine of their last 10 games.
Offensively, Lansing was led by two-hit games by Brad McElroy, A.J. Jimenez, and Kevin Nolan. Cleanup hitter Brad Glenn singled in his first at-bat, extending his hitting streak to 13 games.
The Nuts and 'Caps play the second game in their series at 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday night, with Lansing right-hander Ryan Tepera (1-0, 5.40) set to face West Michigan right-hander Ramon Lebron (2-0, 4.15)

4 comments:

  1. I just came over here to ask about Jenkins seven shut out innings and what he's throwing well and how he's coming along and...

    So now I'll read the post and see if you answered my questions.

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  2. So yeah, that's a nice start. Any more info on his development and what are his strengths/weaknesses would be appreciated. Great read as always.

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  3. Mattt,
    Thanks man!
    Jesse put together a post last week about Jenkins:
    http://1bluejaysway.blogspot.com/2010/04/lets-talk-chad-jenkins.html
    In it he talks about Chad's slider, a pitch many have yet to note.

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  4. I'll be looking that one up. Thanks for the info.

    ReplyDelete