Allen, Caps use early offense to edge Lugnuts, 3-2  

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – In front of 8,317, Brady Allen’s second inning home run proved just enough to help the West Michigan Whitecaps (7-10, 39-43) top the Lansing Lugnuts (7-10, 38-44), 3-2, on Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.

The longtime rivals have split the first two games of the series, setting up a Sunday afternoon rubber match.

Lansing right fielder Colby Thomas opened the game with a first-pitch single, stole second, advanced to third on a flyout and scored on a Daniel Susac single for a quick 1-0 Lugnuts lead.

But the Whitecaps strung together four straight two-out hits in the first inning, taking a 2-1 lead on RBI singles from Roberto Campos and Luis Santana against Lansing starter Brady Basso.

An inning later, Allen swatted his eleventh home run of the season to center field, putting the Whitecaps up 3-1.

Lugnuts pitchers Mitch Myers and Christian Fernandez silenced the Whitecaps offense from there. Myers fired four hitless innings, striking out four while walking three, and Fernandez allowed one hit in two scoreless innings, striking out one.

But the Nuts stranded 10 runners on the bases and tallied only one further score, thanks to Joshwan Wright doubling home Brennan Milone in the seventh inning.

Lansing catcher Susac went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles and left fielder Clark Elliott was 1-for-1 with a single and an HBP; each departed the game early.

Nuts right-hander Jacob Watters starts opposite West Michigan right-hander Williander Moreno in the 2 p.m. Sunday finale.

Then the Lugnuts will enjoy a day off on Monday before returning to Lansing to host the Great Lakes Loons from July 18-23. Tickets are available via lansinglugnuts.com or by calling (517) 485-4500 during office hours.

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