LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (26-13) won their eighth consecutive game, scoring five runs in both the fifth and the sixth innings to thump the Dayton Dragons (18-18), 12-2, on a Winning Wednesday at Cooley Law School Stadium.The Lugnuts improved to 7-0 against the Dayton Dragons in the season
LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (26-13) won their eighth consecutive game, scoring five runs in both the fifth and the sixth innings to thump the Dayton Dragons (18-18), 12-2, on a Winning Wednesday at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The Lugnuts improved to 7-0 against the Dayton Dragons in the season series, setting up the potential for a second four-game home sweep of Dayton on Thursday. In those seven wins, the Nuts are averaging nine runs per game.
Reigning Midwest Player of the Week Kevin Smith blasted a two-run homer in the fifth, his sixth home run of the season, and then added a three-run double in the sixth - that center fielder Stuart Fairchild lost off the bat - to lead the Lugnuts' offense. Smith finished 2-for-5 with five RBIs, raising his batting average to .379 and his league-leading RBI total to 38.
Dayton starting pitcher Packy Naughton (Loss, 3-3) took the brunt of the damage, allowing seven runs on two walks and five hits, including Smith's roundtripper and a two-run homer by Brock Lundquist , the right fielder's team-leading eighth of the year.
Lansing starter Yennsy Diaz (Win, 4-1) allowed a home run to Jeter Downs leading off the game and tossed a run-scoring wild pitch, but nothing further in six innings, his fourth quality start of the year.
Dany Jimenez struck out three batters while blanking Dayton in the seventh and eighth innings, and Andy Ravel faced the minimum in the ninth.
Smith, Lundquist, Norberto Obeso and Yeltsin Gudino each collected two hits for the Lugnuts in the winning cause, while Obeso, Smith, Gudiño and Matt Morgan each scored two runs.
Lugnuts right-hander Graham Spraker (2.51 ERA) takes the ball on a Labatt Thirsty Thursday with a pregame Beer Mile and $2 beer/wine specials and half off craft beers. Dayton counters with right-hander Wendolyn Bautista. First pitch is 7:05 p.m. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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