Aiken aces Lugnuts, 7-1

LANSING, Mich. - Brady Aiken took a no-hitter into the sixth, settling for seven one-hit innings, and the Lake County Captains (20-26, 47-68) defeated the Lansing Lugnuts (19-27, 56-56), 7-1, in the opener of a four-game series on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Aiken (Win, 5-12), drafted first overall by Houston in 2014 and 17th overall by Cleveland in 2015, pitched around an early lapse in command. The Lugnuts drew three walks in the second inning and there was a hit-by-pitch in the third, but Aiken escaped each jam. It was not until Edward Olivares homered with two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning that the Lugs collected their first hit.

Aiken's opposite number, Lugnuts starter Kyle Weatherly (Loss, 0-4), lasted only three innings, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks.

The Captains scored two more runs in the fifth against Juliandry Higuera , increasing their lead to 4-0, before capping the night off with an unearned run in the eighth and two in the ninth against Connor Eller .

Lansing finished with five hits: two from Olivares and one apiece from J.B. Woodman , Mitch Nay and Ridge Smith .

Lake County rolled up 13 hits, led by a three-hit showing from Connor Capel and two doubles by Mitch Longo.

Rodrigo Orozco went 0-for-4, ending his on-base streak at 20 games.

Friday is Jimmy Buffett Night, featuring a Seafood Boil, music from Don Middlebrook and LAFCU Fireworks! Lugnuts prospect Yennsy Diaz (4-2, 3.88) starts against Captains left-hander Juan Hillman (5-7, 5.89) at 7:05 p.m. 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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