Big 6th helps Lugs close season in triumph

LANSING, Mich. - In the finale of the regular season on Monday afternoon at Cooley Law School Stadium, an eight-run sixth inning propelled the Lansing Lugnuts (29-41, 61-78) to a 9-4 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (36-33, 69-70).

Lansing takes two out of three against West Michigan to end the season, while they also improve to 11-4 over the Whitecaps in the 2013 season-series.

After falling behind 4-0 in the top of the fifth inning, the Lugs exploded in the home-half of sixth against West Michigan starter Jeff Thompson.

Kevin Patterson opened the scoring with an RBI single after a pair of walks put two runners on. Santiago Nessy followed with an infield single, getting Lansing within 4-2. That chased Thompson from the game in favor of Yorfrank Lopez (Loss, 8-5), who did not fare any better.

Daniel Klein doubled to drive in one and then Jason Leblebijian singled, plating another run to tie the game at 4-4. The next batter, Kellen Sweeney, reached on an error that scored Klein and put the Lugs up, 5-4. Carlos Ramirez singled to make it 6-4, and then with the infield drawn in, Chris Hawkins put the icing on an eight-run frame with a high bouncer to right that gave Lansing an 8-4 lead.

They never looked back, as Ian Kadish (Win, 5-4) pitched three scoreless innings, striking out five, to earn the win, while Arik Sikula slammed the door on the season by striking out the side in a perfect ninth.

Klein finished with a 3-for-4 performance with a pair of doubles, two runs driven in and a run scored. Meanwhile, eight of nine Lugs scored a run and every single hitter reached base at least once in the victory.

Thompson was tagged for four runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings of work in the no-decision, while Lopez took the loss for West Michigan, allowing five runs - four earned - on six hits over 1 2/3 frames.

Lansing starter Kendall Graveman took a no-decision as well, allowing the four runs to West Michigan - all in the top of the fifth - over five innings of work. He allowed seven hits, striking out four with two walks.

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