Lugnuts drub Aiken, Captains, 10-3

LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (23-18) touched up former first-rounder Brady Aiken for eight runs in the second inning, coasting to a 10-3 victory over the Lake County Captains (16-26) on Monday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

The Nuts have won four of their last five games following a five-game losing streak.

The second-inning uprising featured six hits - five doubles - oone walk, one HBP and one fielding error by debuting third baseman Gavin Collins that rendered seven of the eight runs unearned. J.B. Woodman opened the rally with an RBI single, Jake Thomas lined a two-run double, Bradley Jones crushed a three-run double (his second double of the inning) and Christian Williams provided the capper with an RBI double of his own.

Aiken (Loss, 1-7), the 1st overall pick in 2014 and the 17th overall pick in 2015, gave up ten runs total, two earned, on ten hits and two walks in 4 1/3 innings, striking out three.

Spot-starter Tayler Saucedo pitched 4 2/3 innings before departing due to pitch-count, striking out four batters while allowing three hits, three walks and two runs.

Chris Hall (Win, 1-1) followed Saucedo with 2 1/3 innings of work, giving up a home run to Conner Capel in the sixth.

Geno Encina fired the final two frames in scoreless fashion, walking one, allowing one hit and striking out two.

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. led a 12-hit attack, going 3-for-4 with a walk. Bo Bichette was 2-for-4 with a walk, raising his league-leading batting average to .360.

The second game of the eight-game homestand is a Grand Slam School Day starting at 10:35 a.m. on Tuesday morning, featuring a Dollar Deal Day: $1 hot dogs, $1 ice cream sandwiches and $1 fountain drinks! Right-hander Patrick Murphy (3-1, 3.51) starts opposite Captains right-hander Justin Garza (1-1, 5.90). Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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