Lugnuts' winning streak ends in doubleheader split

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (14-7) split a Friday night doubleheader at Fifth Third Ballpark, defeating the West Michigan Whitecaps (13-7) in Game 1, 11-7, before losing the nightcap, 7-4.

The first-place Lugnuts maintained a half-game lead atop the Whitecaps in the Midwest League Eastern Division.

In Game 1, the Lugnuts homered in each of the first three innings - a Brock Lundquist three-run shot in the first, a Kacy Clemens two-run homer in the second and a Kevin Smith solo roundtripper in the third - on their way to their sixth consecutive victory.

Clemens finished the game 2-for-2 with a double, home run, two runs, two walks and three runs scored, and Cullen Large drew two walks, was hit by a pitch and scored four runs.

Starter Maverik Buffo (Win, 2-1) tossed five innings, allowing three hits, four runs, one walk and four strikeouts. Dalton Rodriguez followed with 1 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and three runs, before Brody Rodning recorded the final two outs.

West Michigan starter Jesus Rodriguez (Loss, 1-1) allowed all three homers, serving up nine runs (five earned) in four innings.

In Game 2, the Whitecaps scored six runs in a pivotal third inning, ending the Nuts' winning streak at six games.

Donnie Sellers (Loss, 2-1) gave up seven runs in 2 2/3 innings in his second start of the year.

West Michigan starter Burris Warner gave up four runs, all unearned, in 3 2/3 innings before yielding to reliever John Hayes (Win, 1-2) for the final 3 1/3 innings, notched scorelessly.

Large scored two more runs in the losing cause, and Ryan Noda went 2-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI.

The Lugnuts send 18-year-old right-hander Maximo Castillo (4.80 ERA) to the mound against Whitecaps right-hander Brad Bass (0.90) in the middle affair of the three-day, five-game series, set for 4:00 p.m. Saturday.

The next Lugnuts home game is a Dollar Deal Day on Tuesday, May 1st, against the Kane County Cougars, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m., opening a six-game homestand at Cooley Law School Stadium. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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