Lugs survive Whitecaps, take series

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - For the second straight night, the Lansing Lugnuts (28-32, 70-60) built a 7-2 lead and held on tight, riding triumphantly away from Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7-6 victory over the West Michigan Whitecaps (36-25, 69-61).

The Lugnuts won both the series and the season series, taking two of three from the 'Caps and winning seven of the 13 meetings between the intrastate rivals in 2015.

Down five runs, the Whitecaps started their charge in the sixth inning, creeping within 7-3 on Jon Wandling's bases-loaded walk of Josh Lester. Wandling departed one pitch later due to injury, with Dusty Isaacs stranding the bases loaded.

The seventh inning brought more trouble: Ross Kivett homered off the first pitch Isaacs threw, and A.J. Simcox followed with an inside-the-park home run when right fielder Josh Almonte misjudged his slicing fly ball. Will Kengor added an RBI single five batters later, bringing the Whitecaps within one run.

Phil Kish relieved Isaacs for the eighth, allowing a leadoff single to Francisco Contreras. The Whitecaps' runner made his way to third, but was left there when All-Star Mike Gerber struck out looking.

West Michigan kept the pressure on in the ninth. Both Christin Stewart and Joey Pankake singled, and a fielder's choice put runners at the corners with two outs. But Kish refused to bend, retiring Lester on a long foul fly to left, ending the game.

Starter Wandling (Win, 1-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing four hits, four walks and three runs (two earned) with one strikeout. Kish recorded the final six outs for his seventh save.

West Michigan starting pitcher Fernando Perez (Loss, 2-11) lasted only four innings, serving up four runs on eight hits and one walk.

Lansing finished the game with 15 hits, four by catcher Michael De La Cruz and three from shortstop Richard Ureña. Left fielder David Harris and center fielder D.J. Davis each scored two runs.

The Lansing Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium for a six-game homestand starting Sunday, August 30th, against the Fort Wayne TinCaps, a 4:05 p.m. Kids Day presented by Delta Dental - Play Catch on the Field before the game, and Kids Run the Bases afterward! Lansing right-hander Justin Shafer (5-4, 2.95) faces Fort Wayne right-hander Ernesto Montas (11-6, 3.40). For more information, call (517) 485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.

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