Lugnuts whitewash Whitecaps, 4-0

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - Donnie Sellers combined with two relievers on a four-hit shutout and the red hot Lansing Lugnuts (10-2, 53-29) sent the reeling West Michigan Whitecaps (5-7, 41-41) to their fifth straight loss, 4-0, on Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The Lugnuts have won 13 of their last 15 games. Their 53 wins ranks second highest in Minor League Baseball to only the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

In his previous start at West Michigan, April 27th, Sellers (Win, 6-1) had allowed seven runs on eight hits in just 2 2/3 innings. He was far better on this night, holding the Whitecaps to three singles, one walk and two hit-by-pitches while striking out four.

Brody Rodning and Kyle Weatherly handled matters from there, each throwing two scoreless innings.

The Lugnuts have now won eight straight games Sellers has started.

Samad Taylor put the Lugs' offense on the track to success with a two-run single in the second inning off 19-year-old Whitecaps starter Wilkel Hernandez (Loss, 0-1), who gave up five hits and five walks in 3 2/3 innings in his Midwest League debut.

Jesus Navarro added an RBI single in the sixth and Ryan Noda grounded an RBI single in the ninth to close out the scoring.

Noda finished 1-for-3 with two walks, joined among offensive standouts by Norberto Obeso , who went 1-for-2 with two runs and three walks, and Taylor, Chavez Young , Ryan Gold and Freddy Rodriguez , who each notched two hits.

Lansing right-hander Maximo Castillo (5.35 ERA) receives the start on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m., opposed by Whitecaps right-hander Dane Myers (2.91 ERA).

The next Lugnuts home game is on the 4th of July against the Whitecaps, a 6:30 p.m. start followed by an Independence Day LAFCU Fireworks Spectacular! To purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
# # #