Dinger Déjà Vu

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The first-place Lansing Lugnuts (15-7) launched three home runs for the second straight day, thrashing the West Michigan Whitecaps (13-8), 13-5, on Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The Lugnuts expanded their lead to 1.5 games over the Whitecaps in the Midwest League Eastern Division. The Nuts' offense leads the Midwest League in runs, hits, total bases, doubles, homers, hit-by-pitches, walks, stolen bases, OBP and slugging.

Lansing knocked three homers in the series opening on Friday night, the first game of a doubleheader: a three-run homer by Brock Lundquist , a two-run homer from Kacy Clemens and a solo home run courtesy of Kevin Smith .

This game came from the same script: Lundquist slugged another three-run homer, measured at 411 feet to right-center, to cap a four-run Lugnuts second inning. Clemens followed an inning later with a two-run roundtripper to right amid a three-run third inning, increasing the lead to 7-1. Smith didn't homer - but he did single, double and triple, increasing his on-base streak to 20 games.

Clemens capped off the scoring in the ninth with a no-doubt rocket to right field, his team-leading fourth home run of the season.

Chavez Young added a two-run single for the Lugnuts, who featured impressive balanced offense: eight of the nine starters scored at least one run, eight of the nine starters collected at least one hit, and seven of the nine starters drew at least one walk.

In total, the Lugnuts amassed 24 base runners: 14 hits, nine walks and one hit-by-pitch, raising their team batting average to .269, their on-base percentage to .379 and their slugging percentage to .426.

West Michigan starter Brad Bass (Loss, 2-1) took the brunt of the damage, allowing seven runs on seven hits and three walks in three innings.

Lansing starter Maximo Castillo (Win, 2-0) was the recipient of the offensive support, tossing five innings and allowing six hits and two runs, with one walk and five strikeouts.

Matt Shannon made his Lugnuts debut in relief, tossing a scoreless sixth and seventh. Kyle Weatherly pitched the final two innings, allowing three runs.

The final day of the three-day series features the second doubleheader between the two teams. Right-hander Yennsy Diaz (0.40) starts Game 1 at 2:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Ballpark, opposed by Whitecaps ace Eudis Idrogo (0.53). The Game 2 starters have not been announced by either team.

The next Lugnuts home game is a Dollar Deal Day on Tuesday, May 1st, against the Kane County Cougars, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m., opening a six-game homestand at Cooley Law School Stadium. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
 
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