The Top 5 Games of 2013

Special Note:  For the record, as you might well expect, this game and these games did not make the list. The 2013 Midwest League All-Star Game deserves mention due to Dalton Pompey's game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 9th. Had Pompey not come through, the game would have ended in a disappointing tie.

Now then...

5.  Finishing Well, September 2nd. On the season's final day, the Lugs delighted their Fan Appreciation Day crowd with an eight-run sixth inning, rallying back for a 9-4 win over in-state rival West Michigan. Standout closer Arik Sikula finished things in style, striking out the final three batters of 2013. The end of the season might be bittersweet, but this left everyone smiling.  Game Recap

4.  Dominating the Dragons, August 26th.  Into every season drops an element of fun, and on one late August day, the Lugnuts' offense threw themselves a party. Dalton Pompey homered twice, Emilio Guerrero came a triple away from hitting for the cycle, Jordan Leyland launched a grand slam, and the Lugs scored in every inning except the 2nd on their way to an 18-6 thrashing of Dayton.  Pompey finished with five runs scored, tying the franchise record.  Game Recap

3.  Dwight Delivers, July 12th. In a heated, emotional evening, manager John Tamargo, Jr. was ejected in the top of the 7th inning following a controversial call at the plate that saw the Peoria Chiefs grab a 3-2 lead against the Lugnuts. With their manager back in the clubhouse, the Lugs' first two batters were retired in the bottom of the 7th... but Emilio Guerrero drew a walk, and then Dwight Smith, Jr. cranked out a stirring go-ahead two-run homer, launching Lansing to the 4-3 victory.  Game Recap

2.  Emilioooo!, August 16th.  In the finest hitting performance of the season, Emilio Guerrero went 6-for-6 at West Michigan to match the franchise and league records for most hits in one game -- including a grand slam amid a nine-run 3rd inning -- as the Lugnuts trounced the Whitecaps, 14-5. It was part of a breakthrough August for the young shortstop, earning him a promotion to Dunedin.  Game Recap

1.  The Near-Perfect Champ, June 8th. In Game 1 of a doubleheader at West Michigan, Ben White tossed a five-hit shutout in a 3-0 Lugs win. Consider the bar raised -- until Game 2, when spot-starting Kramer Champlin twirled a masterpiece. Champlin retired the first 20 Whitecaps before this play, scored a base hit for Devon Travis.  Champlin, undeterred, struck out Jeff Holm to complete a 10-K, one-hit shutout for the Lugnuts' pitching performance of the year.  Game Recap

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