Lugnuts blank Whitecaps in opener, 2-0
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Rafael Kelly combined with Brady Basso and Jack Weisenburger on a six-hit shutout, and the Lansing Lugnuts (15-16) opened a six-game series at the division-leading West Michigan Whitecaps (16-14) with a 2-0 win on Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. It was the first of 24 meetings
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Rafael Kelly combined with Brady Basso and Jack Weisenburger on a six-hit shutout, and the Lansing Lugnuts (15-16) opened a six-game series at the division-leading West Michigan Whitecaps (16-14) with a 2-0 win on Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
It was the first of 24 meetings between the two clubs this season and the 379th all-time meeting dating to 1996 between the intrastate archrivals.
A run-scoring wild pitch tossed by West Michigan reliever Bryce Tassin in the seventh and an RBI double by Lugnuts first baseman Jordan Díaz in the eighth supplied the game’s only runs.
Starter Kelly had not pitched since May 25th, but showed no rust, scattering four hits and a walk in five innings, striking out four.
Left-hander Basso entered in the sixth and found himself in a quick jam against the Whitecaps’ prospect-laden lineup. He followed a walk to 2020 Tigers third-rounder Trei Cruz with a strikeout of 2020 first overall pick Spencer Torkelson, but 2020 supplemental second-rounder Daniel Cabrera singled. 2020 second-rounder Dillon Dingler flied out to right for the second out, but a wild pitch moved the runners into scoring position. Bryant Packard followed with a drive to deep left field, where Shane Selman made a stellar inning-ending backhanded catch, finishing on his stomach outstretched toward the warning track.
Basso found his groove from there, working a perfect seventh and finishing with a scoreless eighth, pitching around a two-out Torkelson single.
Weisenburger then made short work of the ninth, striking out Wenceel Pérez to finish off the Lugnuts’ second shutout of the year.
Díaz led the Lugnuts’ offense with a three-hit game, while Lazaro Armenteros finished 2-for-4 with two singles. Max Schuemann finished 0-for-5, ending his on-base streak at 24 games.
Right-hander Seth Shuman (1.23 ERA) starts the second game of the six-game series on Wednesday at 7:05 p.m., opposed by Whitecaps right-hander Keider Montero (6.23).
The Lugnuts return home next from June 15-20 against the Great Lakes Loons. To purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
# # #