Pen continues udder mastery in 4-2 victory

APPLETON, Wisc. – Stevie Emanuels and Tyler Baum supplied the latest examples of bullpen brilliance, and the Lansing Lugnuts (1-0, 32-34) opened the second half the same way they closed out the first half, silencing the Wisconsin Udder Tuggers (0-1, 26-39), 4-2, on Friday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

Darrien Miller’s two-run single in the third inning gave Wisconsin a 2-1 lead against Lansing starter Jake Garland – but the Nuts immediately tied the game in the fourth on a Daniel Susac double and Brayan Buelvas sacrifice fly, then took the lead in the fifth on a Max Muncy RBI single.

The Nuts added insurance in the eighth on a Junior Pérez double and a pair of Wisconsin errors, but their pitchers didn’t need it.

With the aid of double plays in three straight innings, Garland worked around eight hits, one walk and one HBP in five innings, blanking the Tuggers in the fourth and fifth. Then he handed the ball to the bullpen.

Emanuels buzzsawed through a perfect sixth and seventh, striking out four, before Baum recorded his eighth save, whiffing three while retiring the final six batters in order.

The performances added to a continuing show of dominance by Lansing’s relief corps, which has allowed one run in 17 2/3 innings through the first four games of the series, striking out 20 while allowing just six hits and three walks.

In the winning cause, Pérez went 2-for-3 with a single, double, HBP and stolen base, reaching base for the 11th straight game.

The Lugnuts will look for a fourth straight win and a series victory, starting right-hander Jacob Watters against Wisconsin right-hander Edwin Jiménez at 6:40 p.m. local / 7:40 p.m. Eastern.

The Nuts are on the road for two weeks at Wisconsin and Great Lakes, next returning to Michigan’s state capital for a homestand beginning July 4th against Lake County. Tickets are available via lansinglugnuts.com or by calling (517) 485-4500 during office hours.

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