Lardner dazzles, but Captains double up Lugs
LANSING, Mich. –Pitching in front of his family, Mac Lardner whiffed six batters in 2 2/3 innings of strong relief, but the visiting Lake County Captains (20-17) held off the Lansing Lugnuts (17-20) to win, 4-2, on Friday evening at Jackson® Field™. The game was delayed 29 minutes at the
LANSING, Mich. –Pitching in front of his family, Mac Lardner whiffed six batters in 2 2/3 innings of strong relief, but the visiting Lake County Captains (20-17) held off the Lansing Lugnuts (17-20) to win, 4-2, on Friday evening at Jackson® Field™.
The game was delayed 29 minutes at the start due to pre-game rain.
Once it began, it was dominated by pitching. Lake County right-hander Ethan Hankins, the 35th overall selection in the 2018 draft, tossed three scoreless innings before handing the ball to reliever Will Dion, who whiffed seven in the next five innings while limiting the Lugnuts to two runs: a Danny Bautista, Jr., RBI double in the fifth and an Euribiel Ángeles sacrifice fly in the seventh.
Lake County’s offense was blanked early by Lansing starter Jacob Watters, but responded with two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the sixth before southpaw Lardner entered and turned in his finest relief appearance of the season.
.@mac_lardner? Call him Mac Daddy. pic.twitter.com/eNYwLsiAoA
— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) May 20, 2023
The former Gonzaga Bulldog whiffed Christian Cairo to end a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning, then fanned two in the seventh before striking out the side in the eighth. He departed after retiring Victor Planchart on a popout to open the ninth, with Brock Whittlesey recording the final two outs.
In defeat, Lansing starter Watters struck out four batters in a career high 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits, four runs and four walks. Left fielder Bautista, Jr., went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and first baseman Jack Winkler finished 3-for-4 with two runs scored.
Designated hitter Daniel Susac finished 0-for-4, ending his on-base streak at 18 games.
Saturday is Military Appreciation Night at the ballpark, with $5 tickets for anyone who presents a valid military ID, a pregame dedication of the POW/MIA Chair of Honor, and special themed jerseys for the Lugnuts that will be auctioned off to benefit the Coast Guard Foundation. Right-hander Blake Beers, the reigning Midwest League Pitcher of the Week, starts for Lansing against Lake County right-hander Tommy Mace. Gates open at 6 p.m. with a 7:05 p.m. start and LAFCU Fireworks following the game. For ticket information, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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