Lugnuts Bounce Back from First Loss with 12-Inning Win
April 14, 2012 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - Andy Burns hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 12th, lifting the Lansing Lugnuts (8-1) to a wild 5-4 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (4-5) at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday afternoon.
The Lugnuts responded a day after losing their first game of the season, downing the Whitecaps despite failing to hold three different leads.
Lansing closer Ajay Meyer (Win, 1-0) faced three hitters in the 12th to seal the win after blowing his first save of the year in the 11th.
Lugnuts catcher Carlos Perez had driven in Markus Brisker in the 11th with an RBI single off Tim Kelley (Loss, 0-1), giving Lansing short-lived lead, but the Whitecaps' Dean Green delivered a sacrifice fly in the home half to tie the game.
Brisker cracked his first home run of the year in the seventh, breaking a 1-1 tie, and Jon Berti took a bases-loaded walk to give the Lugs a 3-1 lead heading to the bottom of the eighth.
But Brandon Berl allowed four straight singles, trimming the lead to a run. Kramer Champlin entered with the bases loaded and immediately coaxed a double play grounder which allowed the tying run to score.
Lugnuts prospects Aaron Sanchez and Justin Nicolino each tossed three innings, with Sanchez striking out three while allowing just one hit and Nicolino allowing an unearned run.
Whitecaps starter Brennan Smith limited Lansing to only one unearned run in six innings of four-hit ball.
Four Lugnuts registered multi-hit games led by Brisker, who recorded three hits in six at-bats with a home run, two runs scored and a stolen base. Chris Hawkins, Kevin Pillar and Perez all tallied two hits apiece.
The Lugs send Grand Rapids native Jesse Hernandez (1-0, 0.00) to the mound for the finale of the four-game series, opposed by West Michigan right-hander Wilsen Palacios (0-0, 1.50). Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Lansing returns to Cooley Law School Stadium at 7:05 p.m. on Monday, April 16th, opening a three game homestand against the South Bend Silver Hawks. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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