April 9, 2012

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Lansing (R-H-E): 8-14-2
Dayton (R-H-E): 0-3-2

WP: Aaron Sanchez (1-0)
LP: Stalin Gerson (0-1)
Sv: None

HR: Dayton: None
HR: Lansing: Kenny Wilson (1st, 0 on base in first inning); Chris Hawkins (1st, 0 on base in fourth inning); Kevin Patterson (1st, 1 on base in fifth inning).

Dayton, Ohio-Chris Hawkins collected three hits including a home run and four Lansing pitchers combined on a three-hit shutout as the Lugnuts defeated the Dayton Dragons 8-0 on Monday. The game was the first of a three-game series and was played before 7,983 at Fifth Third Field. The loss dropped the Dragons to 2-2 on the season while Lansing improved to 4-0.

Lansing's Kenny Wilson hit the second pitch of the game for a home run to left field to give the Lugnuts an early lead. Lansing added an unearned run in the third before Hawkins drilled a long home run to right field in the fourth to make it 3-0.

Lansing broke the game open in the fifth inning when Kevin Patterson connected on a two-run home run to make it 5-0. The Lugnuts added three more runs in the sixth, keyed by an RBI double by Kevin Pillar and a two-run single by K.C. Hobson to close out the scoring.

Dragons starting pitcher Stalin Gerson allowed five runs on 10 hits in four and one-third innings of work. He walked two and struck out five to absorb the loss.

Lansing starting pitcher Justin Nicolino was outstanding in a brief outing. He worked three hitless, scoreless innings, throwing 45 pitches. Nicolino walked no one and struck out five. He was not involved in the decision.

Reliever Aaron Sanchez was credited with the victory. He worked three innings, allowing one hit and no runs with two walks and four strikeouts.

The Dragons collected three hits. Ryan Wright, Sean Buckley, and Junior Arias each had singles.

The Dragons and Lugnuts meet again Tuesday at Fifth Third Field at 7:00 p.m. Carlos Gonzalez, who went 2-4 with a 4.83 earned run average in rookie-ball in the Reds organization in 2011, will make the start for Dayton. Right-hander Jesse Hernandez (4-4, 4.28 with short-season Vancouver in 2011) will start for Lansing. The series concludes in Dayton on Wednesday.