Bandits blow lead, then rout Lugnuts, 15-8

LANSING, Mich. – The Quad Cities River Bandits (33-22) coughed up a five-run lead, and then scored eight runs in the seventh inning to trounce the Lansing Lugnuts (30-24), 15-8, on Friday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The game was delayed 59 minutes at the start due to heavy rain. Heavy offense reigned for the next three hours and 20 minutes.
After Quad Cities starter Joe Kelly fired five scoreless innings, the Lugnuts greeted reliever Dan Calhoun with five runs in the sixth. Brad Glenn spurred the rally with a two-out, two-run single, Balbino Fuenmayor followed with a three-run homer, and Kevin Nolan capped off the rally with a game-tying RBI single.
The River Bandits responded immediately against reliever Matt Wright (2-1), who faced seven batters in the seventh inning and didn't retire a single one. Wright departed the mound with four runs in and the bases loaded. Brian Slover replaced Wright and served up a three-run Ted Obregon double and a run-scoring wild pitch, giving Quad Cities a 13-5 lead.
The rally made a winner of Calhoun (4-0), who gave up six runs on seven hits in 1 2/3 innings.
The two teams combined for 30 hits, 15 for each team, and five errors in the game.
Edgar Lara led the offensive effort for the visitors with three hits, including a pair of two-run triples.
In defeat, Lansing shortstop Ryan Goins went 4-for-5 with three singles and his third home run of the season.
On Saturday night at 7:05, the Lugnuts will send right-hander Chad Jenkins (4-3, 3.38) to the mound against Quad Cities right-hander Scott Schneider (4-1, 2.08). The game will featured post-game LAFCU fireworks.
Tickets to all Lansing 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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Lansing Lugnuts Baseball
Cooley Law School Stadium
505 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912
Phone: 517.485.4500; Fax: 517.485.4518
info@lansinglugnuts.com

Lugnuts win 6th straight, 6-3 over Dayton

DAYTON, Ohio – On Tuesday night at Fifth Third Field, Balbino Fuenmayor went 3-for-4 with three RBIs and the Lansing Lugnuts (23-14) doubled up the host Dayton Dragons (18-20), 6-3, for their sixth straight win.
Fuenmayor lined a two-run single to cap off a four-run third inning against Dayton starting pitcher J.C. Sulbaran (3-2), and then finished off a two-run eighth with another RBI single.
That provided enough offense for Lugnuts starter Evan Crawford (3-1), who allowed two runs over five innings to earn the win. Dave Sever struck out four while giving up a run in three relief innings, and Steve Turnbull pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save in as many opportunities.
The Dragons had their opportunities but went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and committed three errors that led to four unearned runs.
A fluke play cost Dayton another offensive chance in the seventh inning. With Efrain Contreras at first base and one out, Frank Pfister crushed a fly ball over the glove of leaping left fielder Eric Eiland and off the wall. An overly-cautious Contreras retreated to first base as Pfister obliviously passed him on the basepaths. Alert home plate umpire Jeff Klinghoffer immediately ruled Pfister out. An Alex Oliveras strikeout later and the inning was over.
Lansing goes for a seventh straight win on Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m., sending right-hander Chad Jenkins (2-2, 3.59) against Dayton right-hander Josh Ravin (2-2, 2.52).
The Lugnuts return home on May 21st to open a seven-day, eight-game homestand.

Lugnuts outlast Hot Rods in 13, 5-4

BOWLING GREEN, Kent. – Balbino Fuenmayor's sacrifice fly scored pinch-runner Oliver Dominguez in the 13th inning as the Lansing Lugnuts (20-14) defeated the host Bowling Green Hot Rods (11-23) in a four-hour marathon on Thursday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.
Mark Sobolewski led off the 13th against reliever Matt Stabelfeld (1-1) with a double off the left field wall was replaced on the basepaths by the faster Dominguez. Brad McElroy's ground out to second moved Dominguez to third base. Fuenmayor followed with a drive to right, with Dominguez sliding home safely ahead of a strong throw from Hot Rods right fielder Dustin Biell.
The rally made a victor of Nestor Molina (3-1), who held the Hot Rods off the scoreboard from the 10th through the 12th innings.
It didn't come easily, even at the end; Lansing closer Steve Turnbull allowed a two-out single and walk in the bottom of the 13th before striking out Ty Morrison to end the game and lock up his seventh save.
Tyler Bortnick slugged a two-run homer in the losing effort for the Hot Rods, who trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth before Mayo Acosta tied the game with a two-run single off of Dustin Antolin.
Shortly before Acosta's base hit, Bowling Green manager Brady Williams had been ejected by home plate umpire Brett Houseman.
Touted Lansing starter Chad Jenkins struck out three and walked none while working six innings of two-run baseball in a no-decision.
On Friday night at 8:05 p.m. ET, Lansing and Bowling Green play the second game of their four-game series. Right-hander Ryan Tepera (2-1, 4.31) will start for the Lugnuts against Hot Rods right-hander Wilking Rodriguez (1-2, 3.71).
The Lugnuts return home on May 21st to open a seven-game homestand. 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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Lansing Lugnuts Baseball
Cooley Law School Stadium
505 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI 48912
Phone: 517.485.4500; Fax: 517.485.4518
info@lansinglugnuts.com

And as for the Lugs...

These are my boys.

The Good:
1. Right fielder Brad Glenn
2. Leadoff man/center fielder Kenny Wilson
3. Third baseman Mark Sobolewski
4. The back end of the bullpen, featuring Steve Turnbull, Brian Slover, Aaron Loup, and Dustin Antolin

Impressive, all.

The Bad:
1. First baseman Balbino Fuenmayor
2. Catcher Sean Ochinko
3. Shortstop Ryan Goins
4. Second baseman Ryan Schimpf

Slumping, all.

The Awesome
1. Manager Sal Fasano
2. Sal Fasano's Fu Manchu