Maese CG lifts Lugs to 1499th all-time win

GENEVA, Ill. - Justin Maese  struck out seven batters in a nine-inning complete game, and the Lansing Lugnuts (19-12) won their 1,499th game as a franchise, 4-1 over the Kane County Cougars (17-14) on Thursday at Northwestern Medicine Field.

It was the first nine-inning complete game for a Lugnuts pitcher since a Tayler Saucedo shutout of West Michigan on June 25th, 2016.

Maese (Win, 4-2) became the first Midwest League pitcher to toss two complete games in 2017, following a six-inning performance in Bowling Green in April. He needed only 103 pitches, 69 for strikes, in allowing five hits, one walk, a second-inning run, and seven strikeouts.

The Lugnuts offense was stymied for the first four innings by Kane County starter Curtis Taylor(Loss, 0-2) before breaking through for three runs in the fifth. Christian Williams singled, Jake Thomas walked and Edward Olivares tied the score at 1-1 with an RBI single. An Andres Sotillo RBI grounder and a Yeltsin Gudino sac fly capped the rally.

Bo Bichette put together a one-man rally in the sixth. The 19-year-old second baseman singled to right, moved to second on a groundout, stole third base and scored on a throwing error by Cougars catcher Jose Herrera.

Olivares led the Lugnuts offense with a 3-for-4 night, drilling two triples. Williams was 2-for-3 with a walk.

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. singled in his final at-bat, extending his on-base streak to 28 games.

Lansing goes for the series victory and a season-high fifth consecutive win on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Right-hander Patrick Murphy (2-0, 4.13) starts against Kane County left-hander Cody Reed (1-1, 1.82).

The next Lansing Lugnuts homestand runs from Monday, May 15th, through Wednesday, May 17th, against the Fort Wayne TinCaps. 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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