Helped by Hot Rods, Lugs waltz to 7-2 win
BOWLING Green, Ky. - Jake Anderson lined a two-run single in a four-run third inning, and the Lansing Lugnuts (4-2) handed the mistake-prone Bowling Green Hot Rods (4-5) their first home loss of the season, 7-2, on Friday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.
Entering play, the Hot Rods boasted a record 18 games above .500 when playing at home dating back to the start of the 2015 season, but they proved gracious hosts on this night. Bowling Green issued nine walks and helped the Lugnuts score five unearned runs.
Lansing's pitchers had a far easier time: Starter Francisco Rios struck out nine Hot Rods in 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Relievers Dan Lietz (Win, 1-0) and Colton Turner cruised from there, setting down 13 of the final 14 Bowling Green batters.
The troubles for the home team started in the third inning with the bases loaded, two outs, and the game knotted at 1-1 following a Lane Thomas RBI single. Juan Kelly grounded to the left side of the infield where Hot Rods third baseman Michael Russell collided with shortstop Jake Cronenworth, allowing Aaron Attaway to score the tie-breaking run. Anderson lasered a single to left on the very next pitch from Hot Rods starter Michael Velasquez (Loss, 0-2), giving the Lugs a 4-1 lead.
Lansing added a fifth run in the fifth inning, thanks to a run-scoring passed ball with knuckleballer Taylor Hawkins on the mound.
In the eighth, Russell committed another run-scoring error, dropping Gunnar Heidt's two-out popup to allow Connor Panas to score.
The Lugs closed out the scoring in more natural fashion in the ninth, with Josh Almonte doubling in Juan Kelly.
Lansing might have had an even larger margin of victory. The Lugnuts' offense finished the game with only three hits in 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Six different players drew walks, led by Attaway's three free passes, and every player reached base at least once.
The game featured 28 combined strikeouts, 16 by Bowling Green's pitchers. The Hot Rods had struck out 18 Lugnuts in the series opener.
Lansing and Bowling Green play the third game of their four-game series on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. Central time. Lugnuts left-hander Angel Perdomo opposes Hot Rods right-hander Angel Yepez.
The Lugs return to Michigan's state capital on Monday night at 7:05 p.m., opening a seven-game homestand against Fort Wayne and Lake County. To purchase tickets to cheer on the Lugnuts in 2016, stop by the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, call (517) 485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.
Entering play, the Hot Rods boasted a record 18 games above .500 when playing at home dating back to the start of the 2015 season, but they proved gracious hosts on this night. Bowling Green issued nine walks and helped the Lugnuts score five unearned runs.
Lansing's pitchers had a far easier time: Starter Francisco Rios struck out nine Hot Rods in 4 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits. Relievers Dan Lietz (Win, 1-0) and Colton Turner cruised from there, setting down 13 of the final 14 Bowling Green batters.
The troubles for the home team started in the third inning with the bases loaded, two outs, and the game knotted at 1-1 following a Lane Thomas RBI single. Juan Kelly grounded to the left side of the infield where Hot Rods third baseman Michael Russell collided with shortstop Jake Cronenworth, allowing Aaron Attaway to score the tie-breaking run. Anderson lasered a single to left on the very next pitch from Hot Rods starter Michael Velasquez (Loss, 0-2), giving the Lugs a 4-1 lead.
Lansing added a fifth run in the fifth inning, thanks to a run-scoring passed ball with knuckleballer Taylor Hawkins on the mound.
In the eighth, Russell committed another run-scoring error, dropping Gunnar Heidt's two-out popup to allow Connor Panas to score.
The Lugs closed out the scoring in more natural fashion in the ninth, with Josh Almonte doubling in Juan Kelly.
Lansing might have had an even larger margin of victory. The Lugnuts' offense finished the game with only three hits in 17 at-bats with runners in scoring position. Six different players drew walks, led by Attaway's three free passes, and every player reached base at least once.
The game featured 28 combined strikeouts, 16 by Bowling Green's pitchers. The Hot Rods had struck out 18 Lugnuts in the series opener.
Lansing and Bowling Green play the third game of their four-game series on Saturday at 6:35 p.m. Central time. Lugnuts left-hander Angel Perdomo opposes Hot Rods right-hander Angel Yepez.
The Lugs return to Michigan's state capital on Monday night at 7:05 p.m., opening a seven-game homestand against Fort Wayne and Lake County. To purchase tickets to cheer on the Lugnuts in 2016, stop by the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, call (517) 485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.
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