1BJW Interview: RHP Prospect Chad Jenkins

Righty pitching prospect Chad Jenkins had a solid season debut last week, in his start at Trenton. The Blue Jays' first round draft choice from 2009, recorded a win when he tossed 6 innings of 5-hit, 1-run ball while striking out 2 and walking none against the Yankees affiliate for the Double-A Fisher Cats.

Last season, the Kennesaw State product posted a 9-12 record with a 3.70 ERA in 27 combined starts at Class A Advanced Dunedin and Double-A New Hampshire.

After his first win of the 2012 season, the 24-year-old took some time to answer some questions about his pitch repertoire, Twitter, his coaches in the Toronto developmental ranks and much more. Check out the media player below to hear the full interview.



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And follow Chad on Twitter by clicking HERE.

Winning Continues for New Hampshire

The winning ways have continued into the new season for the New Hampshire Fisher Cats. Last fall the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays won the Eastern League championship. In the first two contests of their 2012 campaign, the team looks just as dominant.

Following a win in the season opener at Trenton on Thursday night, the Fisher Cats rode an extremely solid outing from starting pitcher Chad Jenkins to a 2-0 record to start this year in front of 3,792 fans.

The righty Jenkins did not start off very hot, digging his team in a hole, as he ran the count full on the Yankees affiliate Thunder lead-off batter Abraham Almonte and served up a solo homerun.

According to Jenkins, he didn't feel as though he had his best stuff while on the mound Friday night. Jenkins was able to battle through the chilly weather and lacking full confidence in his offerings to down the Thunder by a score of 3-1.

Describing the mishaps in the opening frame, Jenkins said, "The first hitter, I got to a full count and (catcher A.J. Jimenez) wanted a fastball in, so I thought, 'Alright. He has seen away the whole at bat. We'll go in.' I was telling myself- 'cause I know one of them got me in spring training, in my last outing, and I threw that one down, so I was like, 'I'm not throwing this one down.' I let go of it and realized that middle of the plate isn't the best place to throw it either. (Almonte) unleashed on it."

After the homer to Almonte, third baseman Ronnier Mustelier followed that with a single, but ended up stranded on third as Jenkins settled in. Spreading just three more hits allowed over the next 5 innings without a walk, Jenkins earned his first win of the new season.

The Fisher Cats offense was led by first baseman Mike McDade, who went 3-for-4 including a double and a 2-run single that plated the defending champs' first scores of the night in the 5th inning.

New Hampshire added a run in the 6th inning on a sacrifice fly that brought home Justin Jackson.

The 'Cats bullpen was tough also, holding opposing batters without a hit over 3 innings. Matt Daly, Danny Farquhar and Aaron Loup each tossed a scoreless frame. The Louisiana native, Loup, earned the save.

According to NH manager Sal Fasano, this early success should allow the team, which was happily engaging in some debate over the varying musical tastes in the clubhouse after the game, to connect a considerable amount.

"It's nice to start out on the road with a couple of victories because it's a good bonding experience for (the players)," Fasano stated. "So, when they start playing for one another and they start caring about one another- that's one of the things we don't talk about in development, is actually caring about one another and playing your best for one another. To start out like that, it's a good way to start the season and hopefully, we can continue with the momentum and have a start like we did last year."

The Fisher Cats wrap up their three-game series with the Trenton Thunder on Saturday afternoon, before they head to Reading to begin a set with the Phillies' affiliate on Monday.
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Chad Jenkins Notes and Footage

Two years ago right-handed pitcher Chad Jenkins was Toronto's top draft choice out of Kennesaw State University. In the time since then, Jenkins has climbed the developmental ranks, reaching the Double A level, where he is currently the ace of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats rotation.

The 6-foot-4-inch 235-pound Jenkins began his professional career just last year as a member of the Class A Lansing Lugnuts, where he was named an All-star. In 13 starts in the Midwest League, Jenkins posted a 5-4 record with a 3.63 ERA. He then earned a mid-season promotion to the Class A Advanced Dunedin Blue Jays, where he went 2-6 with a 4.33 ERA.

This season, Jenkins returned to the Florida State League with Dunedin and sported a 4-5 record with a 3.07 ERA through 11 starts prior to earning a promotion to New Hampshire of the Eastern League. In 13 starts with the Fisher Cats, Jenkins has gone 5-5 with a 4.08 ERA.

The 23-year-old possesses a repertoire that includes a sinker, which normally resides in the 90-93 MPH range, a slider and a change up, which are all improving and helping him excel upward in the Blue Jays' system.

As Jenkins advances in his career, he continues to be a key prospect to watch within the Toronto organization.

Check out the media player below to see footage of Jenkins at work in the bullpen prior to a start earlier this season.




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Be sure to follow 1BlueJaysWay on Twitter for updates, stats and insight.

1BJW Interview: Chad Jenkins

Through three starts with the Double A New Hampshire Fisher Cats, righty hurler Chad Jenkins has posted a 1-1 record with a 4.05 ERA. Prior to joining the Fisher Cats this month, Jenkins had gone 4-5 with a 3.07 ERA with the High A Level Dunedin Blue Jays.

Last year, in his first full season of professional baseball, Jenkins was named as a mid-season all-star, as a member of the Class A Lansing Lugnuts, prior to joining Dunedin in June. Combined at those two levels in 2010, Jenkins had a 7-10 record and a 3.94 ERA.

The 23-year-old Jenkins was drafted with Toronto's top pick in the 2009 draft (20th overall) out of Kennesaw State University.

On Wednesday, Jenkins is slated to make his fourth start in the Double A Eastern League and he will be faced by rehabbing Yankees pitcher Phil Hughes at Trenton's Waterfront Park.

At this rate of progression, it won't be long before the 6-foot-4-inch 235-pound Jenkins is effecting the odds on props betting for the Blue Jays.

This week, I spoke with Chad about adjusting to the Eastern League, the draft process, personal hobbies, his new home town in Manchester, New Hampshire and plenty more. Check out the media player below to listen to the full interview.



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Projecting the 2011 Fisher Cats Opening Day Roster

Don't think 1BJW has disappeared. If you thought that, you're wrong! But I've decided to take the time to project the Double A Fisher Cats' Opening Day roster that I unfortunatley will not be seeing on April 7th, but will definitely listen on the radio. Here we go...

C Travis D'Arnaud
1B Michael McDade
2B Jonathan Diaz
3B Ryan Schimpf
SS Adeiny Hechavaria
LF Michael Crouse
CF Anthony Gose
RF Adam Loewen
DH David Cooper

C Ryan Budde
SS Luis Sanchez
OF Adam Calderona
1B Roan Salas
IF Callix Crabbe

SP Zach Stewart
SP Joel Carreno
SP Chad Jenkins
SP Reider Gonzalez
SP Randy Boone

RP Matt Daly
RP Ronald Uviedo
RP Evan Crawford
RP Vince Bongiovanni
RP Boomer Potts
RP Alan Farina

Keep in mind, this is just Opening Day as we will most likely see Deck McGuire among many others throughout the season.

Chad Jenkins Begins His Rise Up The Ladder

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts, in conjunction with the Toronto Blue Jays, announced that pitchers Chad Jenkins and Evan Crawford have been promoted to the Dunedin Blue Jays (A-Advanced, Florida State League).  In a corresponding move, pitchers Scott Gracey and Egan Smith have been transferred to Lugnuts from the Auburn Doubledays (Short-A, New York-Penn League).

Jenkins, 22, was selected 20^th overall in the 2009 Amateur Draft and was voted to the Midwest League Eastern Division All-Star team.  In 13 starts with Lansing, the right-hander posted a 5-4 record with a 3.63 ERA in 79.1 innings.  He walked only 13 batters while striking out 64.

Crawford, 23, cycled between the Lansing bullpen and the starting rotation, going 3-2 with a 4.01 earned run average in 16 appearances (seven starts).

Gracey and Smith each began their 2010 campaigns with the Lugnuts before they were transferred to Auburn on June 15^th.  In a pair of starts for the Doubledays, Smith allowed no earned runs over 11 innings while striking out 11.  Gracey added five scoreless one-hit innings in a pair of relief appearances.

The Lugnuts roster comprises 25 active players and two players on the DL. 

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DELETE:  RHP Chad Jenkins, transferred to Dunedin (A-Advanced, Florida State League)

DELETE:  LHP Evan Crawford, transferred to Dunedin (A-Advanced, Florida State League)

ADD:  RHP Scott Gracey, transferred from Auburn (Short-A, New York-Penn League)

ADD:  LHP Egan Smith, transferred from Auburn (Short-A, New York-Penn League)

Exclusive Chad Jenkins Interview

As you can probably tell, we here at 1BlueJaysWay have a major man crush on our first round pick, 20th overall, from last year's draft. Our boy Jesse snagged this audio for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!

Best quote: "I still hear those noises, in bed sometimes, those pings"



Chad will be pitching in The Midwest League All-Star Game, on Tuesday at 7:05 @ Parkview Field in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Hot Rods down Lugnuts in 10, 5-4

LANSING, Mich. – Mark Thomas plated pinch-runner Diogenes Luis with a one-out RBI single in the tenth inning, lifting the Bowling Green Hot Rods (29-37) over the Lansing Lugnuts (36-30), 5-4, on Thursday night on Jackson Field.
The wild affair saw five different lead changes in addition to a balk, two wild pitches, two passed balls, and three hit batsmen.
Facing reliever Aaron Loup (3-1) with one out in the tenth, Ryan Wiegand sliced a triple past Lansing left fielder Eric Eiland. The Lugnuts summoned Casey Beck from the bullpen and brought the infield in, but Thomas came through with a clean line drive into center field for the lead.
The Lugnuts went down quietly in the bottom of the tenth against victor Alex Koronis (5-2), who completed his second scoreless inning in relief.
Lansing starter Chad Jenkins allowed nine hits and three runs in five innings in a no-decision, while Bowling Green starter Jason McEachern struck out seven batters in six innings but also tossed a pair of run-scoring wild pitches.
Hot Rods right fielder Brett Nommensen delivered an RBI single and a two-run double to aid the winning effort, with All-Star left fielder Chris Murrill chipping in with three hits and a pair of runs scored.
In the loss for Lansing, designated hitter Kevin Ahrens provided a two-run first inning double and Kenny Wilson and Ryan Goins each scored a pair of runs.
On Friday night at 7:00, the Lugnuts open a three-game series at Lake County. Lansing right-hander Ryan Tepera (6-2, 3.34) will head to the mound against Captains right-hander Brett Brach (0-3, 4.45).

Lugnuts outpace Hot Rods, 8-5

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts (36-29) jumped on Aaron Dott for eight runs in the first three innings, racing off for an 8-5 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods (29-37) on Wednesday night on Jackson Field.
Despite the victory, a Great Lakes win over South Bend eliminated the Lugnuts from Eastern Division playoff contention.
The Lugnuts battered Dott (1-3) with 10 hits, tallying four runs in the first inning, one in the second inning, and three more runs in the third. The Bowling Green starter was coming off an outing in which he had allowed only one hit in five innings at Wisconsin.
The early offense was enough to earn a victory for Dave Sever (2-3), who gave up three runs on seven hits over five innings.
Still, the triumph did not come easily for Lansing.
The Hot Rods pared the deficit to three runs on Ryan Wiegand's two-run single in the sixth, and then loaded the bases in the ninth before Casey Beck struck out pinch-hitter Kyle Spraker and coaxed a game-ending forceout from Ty Morrison.
Beck picked up his second save of the season.
The Lugnuts offense was led by three-hit efforts from Kevin Ahrens and Ryan Goins, with Ahrens adding three RBIs. All-Star catcher A.J. Jimenez chipped in with his fourth home run of the year.
Lansing right-hander Chad Jenkins (5-4, 3.51) caps off the four-game homestand on a 7:05 p.m. Labatt Blue Light Thirsty Thursday, challenging Hot Rods right-hander Jason McEachern (2-6, 5.03).
The Nuts return home on Tuesday, June 15th, for a doubleheader against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. 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

Jimenez, Lugnuts slam Chiefs, 7-3

PEORIA, Ill. – All-Star catcher A.J. Jimenez hit a grand slam and drove in six runs, and the Lansing Lugnuts (32-27) avoided a three-game sweep with a 7-3 victory over the Peoria Chiefs (32-28) on Thursday night at O'Brien Field.
The 20-year-old Jimenez broke a scoreless deadlock in the sixth inning with a two-run double to right field off Peoria starter Nick Struck (2-6), then blew the game wide open an inning later with the Lugnuts' first grand slam of the season. It was Jimenez's third home run of the year.
Fellow All-Star Chad Jenkins (5-4) earned the victory, allowing three runs on eight hits in seven innings. Jenkins struck out three and walked none, giving him 62 strikeouts compared just 12 walks in 12 starts.
Nestor Molina and Steve Turnbull closed out the Chiefs with scoreless frames in relief.
Kenny Wilson went 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored and leadoff hitter Oliver Dominguez added a pair of hits and runs in five at-bats for Lansing in the win.
In the losing cause, Peoria third baseman Charles Thomas hit his fourth home run of the year, a two-run shot in the seventh inning.
Lansing next heads to Burlington, Iowa, to open a three-game series with the Bees on Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET. Lugnuts right-hander Ryan Tepera (5-2, 3.73) gets the start against the Bees' right-hander Matt Mitchell (1-5, 5.13).

Check out our boy Jesse with the call on the Jimenez bomb: click here

Five Lugnuts Named MWL All-Stars

Here are your 2010 Midwest League All-Stars (with probably more to come, once promotions and injuries affect the roster -- expect Steve Turnbull to be added to the team, for instance):

• Mark Sobolewski will start at third.
• A.J. Jimenez will start behind the plate.
• Ryan Schimpf will be the reserve second baseman.
• Chad Jenkins and Aaron Loup will be in the bullpen.

Bandits take rain-shorted 3-2 win from Lugnuts

LANSING, Mich. – With the potential game-tying run at third base in the bottom of the sixth inning, heavy rain put a halt to play on Jackson Field, handing the Quad Cities River Bandits (34-22) a 3-2 rain-shortened victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (30-25) on Saturday night.
Trailing 3-1, Ryan Schimpf began the bottom of the sixth with a walk and Chris Hopkins was hit by a pitch. Both men moved up on Ryan Goins' ground out to first base, and Schimpf scored on Sean Ochinko grounder to short. But with Hopkins at third and Mark Sobolewski at the plate, the rain proved hard enough to prompt home plate umpire Javier Cantu to call for the tarp.
Fifty minutes later, the game was called. Due to Midwest League rules, the statistics of the bottom of the sixth inning remained intact. The game ended with Hopkins at third.
Scott Schneider (5-1) went the distance for Quad Cities to notch the victory, striking out eight in 5 2/3 innings.
Loser Chad Jenkins (4-4) fired all six frames for Lansing, done in by a three-run top of the fifth inning for the Bandits. In the rally, Ivan Castro and Michael Swinson knocked back-to-back RBI doubles to erase a 1-0 Lugnuts lead.
Balbino Fuenmayor went 2-for-2 with an RBI triple in defeat.
The Lugnuts will wrap up their six-game homestand with a 2:05 p.m. Sunday Kids Day at Cooley Law School Stadium, with Lansing right-hander Ryan Tepera (5-2, 3.55) to the mound against Quad Cities right-hander Eric Fornutaro (5-3, 3.02).

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

Jenkins, Lugnuts power past Silver Hawks, 4-3

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Chad Jenkins tossed six shutout innings and the Lansing Lugnuts (29-21) received three solo home runs in a 4-3 victory over the South Bend Silver Hawks (23-28) on Sunday afternoon at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium.
The victory ended the Lugnuts' three-game losing streak while simultaneously halting the Silver Hawks' three-game winning streak.
Jenkins (4-3), the Blue Jays' 2009 1st round pick, worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first inning and dominated the Silver Hawks lineup afterward. The 22-year-old right-hander scattered seven singles while striking out five.
Lansing built an early 2-0 lead against South Bend starter Brad Gemberling (0-3) on an Oliver Dominguez bases-loaded plunking in the second inning and an A.J. Jimenez home run in the fourth inning.
After South Bend halved the deficit on Errol Hollinger's RBI single in the eighth, Brad Glenn and Oliver Dominguez each homered for the Lugnuts in the ninth inning. Those insurance runs would prove crucial.
In the bottom of the ninth, David Nick launched a two-out, two-run homer off of Lugnuts closer Steve Turnbull. Chris Owings flied out to right field on the very next pitch, ending the game and giving Turnbull his 12th save in as many opportunities.
Lugnuts right fielder Brad McElroy was hit by a pitch in the fifth inning to reach base in his 24th consecutive game.
The Nuts and Hawks play the finale of their four-game series at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, with right-hander Ryan Tepera (5-1, 3.68) going for Lansing against South Bend left-hander Mike Belfiore (1-4, 2.78).
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

Bonus Coverage!

Here is a conversation between Jesse and I after the post went up:

Golden Arm: Jenkins coming around? His line looks solid!

Jesse:  He looked absolutely excellent, and it was noticeable immediately.  Very, very sharp.  It’s my hope that he goes up to Dunedin during the All-Star Break in June.

Golden Arm: Is there a normal time frame on this type of promotion?  Or is it case by case?

Jesse: Entirely case by case.  Rule of thumb, from my experience, is that you go 1) by month (like with Strasburg being in April for Double-A, May for Triple-A, etc.), or 2) by mid-season.  That’s why I’m thinking he moves up at mid-season.  This being his first pro season, they’re going to tread carefully though.  The biggest key for him right now is getting consistency out of his two-seamer and improving his change-up.

Lugnuts split twinbill with Caps, 3-0 and 7-1

LANSING, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts (27-18) split a Tuesday night doubleheader with the West Michigan Whitecaps (17-29), falling in the opener 3-0 before cruising in the nightcap to a 7-1 victory at Cooley Law School Stadium.
In Game 1, Michael Rockett's two-run double backed a masterful effort from 19-year-old West Michigan starter Giovanni Soto.
Soto (4-3) tossed a four-hit complete game shutout, striking out six, to outduel Lugnuts prospect Chad Jenkins. It was the second four-hit seven-inning shutout against the Lansing lineup in four days, matching the Saturday performance by Great Lakes' Will Savage.
Jenkins (3-3) struck out five while allowing three runs on eight hits and two walks in 5 2/3 innings in the loss.
In Game 2, Aaron Loup (3-0) limited the Whitecaps to just two hits and one run in five innings and the Lugnuts banged out three consecutive RBI doubles in a four-run first inning on their way to the easy win.
Every member of the Lansing starting lineup had a base hit by the third inning, and the Lugnuts finished the game with 12 base hits to increase their league-leading team average to .274. West Michigan spot-starter Victor Larez (3-6) bore the brunt of the assault, serving up six runs on nine hits in just 2 1/3 innings.
Eric Eiland added a two-run triple and Ryan Goins doubled twice to spearhead the winning cause.
Nestor Molina allowed a hit over two scoreless innings to close out the victory.
The Lugnuts and Whitecaps will play the third game of their four-game series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m., with Lansing starting right-hander Ryan Tepera (4-1, 3.55) against West Michigan right-hander Ramon Lebron (4-2, 3.63).

Lugnuts rout Dragons, 9-3, for 7th straight win

DAYTON, Ohio – The Lansing Lugnuts (24-14) knocked out 13 hits and used another quality start from Chad Jenkins to rout the Dayton Dragons (18-21), 9-3, on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field, the Lugnuts' seventh victory.
Ryan Schimpf set the tone three batters into the game, lacing his first home run since Opening Day -- also, coincidentally, at Fifth Third Field.
Every Lugnuts starter hit safely, with Ryan Goins, Brad McElroy, Balbino Fuenmayor, and Eric Eiland each notching a pair of base hits. In the process, shortstop Goins extended his hitting streak to nine games and his on-base streak to 15 games.
The offensive barrage came in support of the 22-year-old Jenkins (3-2), Toronto's 2009 first round pick, who struck out seven batters while allowing only a trio of sixth inning runs in seven strong frames.
The Lugnuts received scoreless work from their bullpen, with Dustin Antolin pitching the eighth and Aaron Loup handling the ninth inning.
Dayton starter Josh Ravin (2-3) suffered the loss, gashed for nine hits and seven runs (five earned) in 5 2/3 innings.
Lansing goes for a eighth straight win and a sweep of the host Dragons on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Nuts right-hander Ryan Tepera (3-1, 3.86) will oppose Dayton left-hander Justin Walker (1-4, 6.57).
The Lugnuts return home on May 21st to open a eight-game homestand. Tickets to all Lugnuts home games at Cooley Law School Stadium are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.

"Off-Day?" Say what now?

Here, now, a regular post from me instead of my Lugnuts game recaps!
Full-season Minor League Baseball teams play 140/142 games in a year between April 8 and September 6, which doesn't leave too much room for off-days.
There's one day off in April, one day off in May (Monday), six days in June (four of those for the All-Star Break), three days off in July, and one day off in August.
Considering that the Lugnuts spent their April off-day playing Michigan State University in the Crosstown Showdown... and this team gets just one scheduled day off between April 8th and June 6th. Yes, everyone roots for rainouts.
So how did we spent that off-day? Sleeping, mostly. We were on the road, in rainy Dayton, Ohio. Not the best place to have a day off -- but you take it anywhere you can get it.
Still, this team doesn't look too tired. The Nuts are in the midst of a seven-game winning streak built on great offense, great defense, and great pitching. Today top prospect Chad Jenkins put forth seven strong innings and the lineup collected 13 hits in a 9-3 rout.
The Lugnuts are 24-14 now; at this same time last year, they were 14-24.
Is it a long season? Yes, but if you're winning, that's a good thing.

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.

# # #

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

Crawford, Lugnuts coast past Whitecaps, 7-1

LANSING, Mich. – Evan Crawford allowed only one run in eight outstanding innings and the Lansing Lugnuts (19-14) coasted to a quick 7-1 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps (11-22) on a Grand Slam School Day at Cooley Law School Stadium.
Crawford (2-1) served up a Wade Gaynor solo home run in the first inning -- and then locked down the Whitecaps order. The left-hander gave up only a trio of singles and a walk while lowering his ERA to 2.61.
West Michigan starter Jade Todd (0-5) fared worse, reached for nine hits and seven runs (six earned) in 5 2/3 innings.
Right fielder Chris Hopkins led the charge from the ninth slot in the batting order, collecting three hits and four RBIs. A.J. Jimenez and Balbino Fuenmayor each scored a pair of runs, as the Lugnuts went 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
The game was played in a neat two hours and eight minutes, the Nuts' shortest game of the season.
Lansing next heads out for a seven-game, eight-day road-trip beginning with an 8:05 p.m. game on Thursday night at Bowling Green. Right-hander Chad Jenkins (2-2, 3.68) will start for the Lugnuts against Hot Rods right-hander Jason McEachern (1-2, 5.65).
The Lugnuts return home on May 21st to open a seven-game homestand.