Lugs ride Larkins/Spraker tandem to 5-3 win

BELOIT, Wisc. - Turner Larkins started, Graham Spraker finished, and the Lansing Lugnuts' (22-13) offense took care of the rest in a 5-3 victory over the Beloit Snappers (13-16) on Friday night at Pohlman Field.

Second baseman Kevin Vicuña added a solo home run, the first roundtripper of his professional career, helping the Lugnuts win their fourth straight game on their six-game road trip, clinching a series victory at Beloit after winning two of three at Wisconsin.

On a brutally cold, windy, and at times rainy night, Larkins (Win, 2-3) set the tone with five innings, allowing two unearned runs, walking none and striking out three. Spraker (Save, 1) handled the final four innings, striking out five and allowing only a solo home run to Lazaro Armenteros in the eighth inning.

Beloit starter Jean Ruiz (Loss, 0-2) gave up four runs, two earned, on four hits and four walks in four innings, striking out three and serving up Vicuña's home run leading off the third inning.

Lansing shortstop Kevin Smith went 1-for-5 with a steal and a run scored. Smith has reached base in 31 of 32 games and hit safely in 21 of his last 22 games.

The Nuts go for the series sweep of the Snappers at 3:00 p.m. Saturday at Pohlman Field, with Nuts left-hander Zach Logue (3.12 ERA) facing Snappers right-hander Wyatt Marks (3.10).

The Nuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium on Monday, May 14th, opening a seven-game homestand on a Dog Days of Summer. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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