Ellenbest, Lugnuts shut out Loons

MIDLAND, Mich. - Mike Ellenbest impressed with five sharp innings, combining with two relievers on a four-hit shutout in the Lansing Lugnuts' (21-29, 58-58) 5-0 series-opening victory over the Great Lakes Loons (21-29, 57-62) on Monday night at Dow Diamond.

Ellenbest (Win, 7-6), pitching in front of his Saginaw Valley State University baseball coaches, set the Loons down in the order in the first three innings, escaped a bases-loaded jam in the fourth, and finished with a perfect fifth inning. In all, he struck out five batters, allowing just two hits and a walk.

18-year-old Great Lakes starter Melvin Jimenez (Loss, 1-1) matched Ellenbest through the first four innings before allowing four runs in the fifth - the first runs that he had allowed in five Midwest League appearances.

The Lugnuts tacked on another run in the sixth against 2017 draftee Marshall Kasowski before turning the game over to their bullpen. Juliandry Higuera struck out five combined batters in the sixth and seventh innings, and Connor Eller set down the final six Loons in perfect order to close out the win.

Lansing was led offensively by Joshua Palacios and Nash Knight , each of whom collected three hits. Nick Sinay added two singles, two runs scored, an RBI, and his league-leading 33rd hit-by-pitch of the year, bringing him within three of tying the Midwest League record.

Right-hander Andy Ravel (6-7, 7.14) gets the ball on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m., the second game of the four-game set. Great Lakes' start has yet to be announced.

The next Nuts home game is at 7:05 p.m. against the South Bend Cubs on Friday, August 18th, a Family Faith Night with postgame LAFCU Fireworks. Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
# # #