LANSING, Mich. - Jesus Rodriguez brought a shutout into the eighth inning, and the West Michigan Whitecaps (8-7, 44-41) topped the Lansing Lugnuts (10-5, 53-32), 6-2, on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.The Lugnuts won the opener of the four-game home-and-home series, but the Whitecaps struck back to win
LANSING, Mich. - Jesus Rodriguez brought a shutout into the eighth inning, and the West Michigan Whitecaps (8-7, 44-41) topped the Lansing Lugnuts (10-5, 53-32), 6-2, on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The Lugnuts won the opener of the four-game home-and-home series, but the Whitecaps struck back to win the last three - one in Comstock Park and the last two in Lansing.
A night after 20-year-old Elvin Rodriguez held the Lugnuts to three runs in six innings, the unrelated 20-year-old Jesus Rodriguez (Win, 5-4) came within one out of eight scoreless innings before allowing an RBI double to Norberto Obeso on his 100th pitch. Freddy Rodriguez followed with an RBI double against reliever Felix Viloria, giving Rodriguez two runs allowed in 7 2/3 innings of seven-hit, two-walk, five-strikeout work.
Lugnuts spot-starter Andrew Deramo (Loss, 2-1) gave up five runs, four earned, in the three innings of action - a Rey Rivera RBI double in the first inning, and then RBI base hits from Garrett McCain and Brock Deatherage in a four-run third inning.
Brayden Bouchey followed with 1 1/3 innings, giving up one run on five walks. Dany Jimenez and Brody Rodning held the Whitecaps scoreless from there, hurling 2 1/3 innings apiece.
In the loss, Obeso, Brandon Grudzielanek and Kevin Vicuña each notched two base hits.
The South Bend Cubs arrive in town on Friday, opening a four-game series at Cooley Law School Stadium. Left-hander Matt Gunter (4.76) starts for Lansing at 7:05 p.m., opposing Cubs right-hander Erling Moreno (9.00). LAFCU Fireworks follow the game. To purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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