Knuckleballer Pike, Hot Rods blank Lugnuts

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - Knuckleballer Chris Pike walked four, gave up four hits and hit two batters - and also pitched seven scoreless innings in the Bowling Green Hot Rods' (25-16, 56-52) 3-0 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (16-25, 53-54) on Friday night at Bowling Green Ballpark.

Adrian Rondon belted a two-run homer off Kyle Weatherly in the fourth inning, and Rene Pinto knocked an RBI double off Mike Ellenbest in the sixth inning for the game's only runs.

Pike (Win, 3-3) pitched on a tightrope for the first six frames, picking two Lugnuts off first base and escaping a second-and-third/none-out jam in the sixth inning. He finished at his strongest, setting down the last six batters he faced.

Joe Serrapica (Save, 4) pitched the final two innings scorelessly, striking out the last four batters of the game.

Lugnuts starter Weatherly (Loss, 0-3) pitched well in the losing cause, slipping out of a bases-loaded jam in the second inning and working five innings in all, allowing just the Rondon home run.

Second baseman Mattingly Romanin singled and doubled in four at-bats, supplying half of the Lugs' four hits. It was his third multi-hit showing in his last four games. First baseman Nash Knight contributed a single and two walks in three plate appearances.

Lansing lost two of three games in the series but won the season series, 9-8.

On Saturday, the Lugnuts open a four-game series against the Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Field. Right-hander Yennsy Diaz (4-2, 4.18) takes the mound against Dayton prospect right-hander Tony Santillan (6-6, 3.18) at 7 p.m.

Gear up for the next Nuts homestand, stretching from Thursday, August 10, through Sunday, August 13, and beginning with a Labatt Thirsty Thursday featuring $2 beers/sodas and half off craft beers! Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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