Nuts collect 14 hits in 12-6 loss

LANSING, Mich. - Five members of the starting lineup had multi-hit nights, but the Lansing Lugnuts (28-22, 71-49) fell victim to a seven-run fourth inning in a 12-6 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods (30-20, 77-42) on Monday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

The Hot Rods and Nuts entered the fourth tied at 1-1, but Bowling Green broke the game open with a 12-batter, five-hit, three-error rally against starter Matt Gunter (Loss, 4-5) and reliever Orlando Pascual .

An inning later, Jake Stone and Jim Haley swatted two-run homers to increase the Hot Rods' lead to 12-1.

Dalton Rodriguez provided a respite, pitching 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and striking out four, while the Lugnuts scored three runs in the sixth, one in the seventh and one in the ninth, but it was not nearly enough.

After Hot Rods starter Mikey York gave up one run on four hits in two innings, Alex Valverde (Win, 6-7) pitched the next four innings and allowed three runs on six hits. Southpaw Andrew Gist (Save, 2) worked the final three frames out of the Bowling Geen pen, serving up two runs on four hits and a walk.

In defeat, Brandon Grudzielanek and Chavez Young each notched three hits and two RBIs, and Vinny Capra , Norberto Obeso and Ryan Gold each finished with two hits. Grudzielanek, Young, Obeso and Gold all doubled.

The Lansing Lugnuts wrap up their seven-game homestand on a Dollar Deal Day - $1 hot dogs, ice cream sandwiches, popcorn, fountain drinks and Miller High Life on Tuesday, with gates opening at 6 p.m. and first pitch at 7:05 p.m. between Nuts left-hander Jordan Barrett (3.73 ERA) faces Bowling Green right-hander Tommy Romero (2.56). To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life at Cooley Law School Stadium, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
# # #