Whitecaps enjoy Holm-coming, rout Lugs

LANSING, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps (29-17, 70-46) clubbed 18 hits on their way to a 14-6 rout of the Lansing Lugnuts (20-26, 52-63) to open a four-game series at Cooley Law School Stadium on Thursday night. 

The loss was the Lugnuts' eighth in the last ten games. 

West Michigan starter Austin Kubitza (Win, 10-1) sat down 18 of the last 19 batters he faced to cap his six innings of work, allowing two runs on three hits with no walks and three strikeouts. The right-hander recorded 13 ground-ball outs without a single out in the air.

The Whitecaps broke a 1-1 tie in the second inning, thanks in part to a trio of Lansing errors, with a two-run double by catcher Bennett Pickar and an RBI triple by right fielder Wynton Bernard to take a 5-1 lead. 

Former Michigan State Spartan Jeff Holm hit with a solo home run against Lansing starter Brent Powers (Loss, 4-4) to open the third, but Lansing catcher Daniel Klein responded with his first home run of the season to cut the deficit back to four. 

Holm finished the night 5-for-5 with a pair of home runs and four RBIs while scoring three runs. Bernard also scored three times, going 4-for-5 a walk and two RBIs. 

Powers pitched five innings, allowing six runs (three earned) on nine hits and a walk with four strikeouts. 

The Lugnuts scratched out four runs over the last two innings against West Michigan reliever Montreal Robertson (Save, 7). 

Lansing third baseman David Harris went 2-for-4 with an RBI. 

Lansing and West Michigan continue the four-game series on a Flat Screen Friday presented by Auto-Owner's Insurance. Right-hander Chase De Jong (0-6, 4.79) starts for the Lugnuts, with righty Jon Maciel (5-5, 3.69) on the mound for the Whitecaps. LAFCU fireworks will follow the 7:05 p.m. game.

Tickets are available for purchase via the stadium box office, telephone at 517-485-4500 and online at lansinglugnuts.com. To sign up for Lugnuts Alerts, text LUGNUTS to 80373.

 

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