Murphy's Law: Lugnuts end losing streak

MIDLAND, Mich. - Patrick Murphy fired 6 2/3 innings of one-run ball, Nash Knight drove in five runs with a pair of doubles, and the Lansing Lugnuts (22-36, 59-65) halted a season-high seven-game losing streak with an 7-4 win over the Great Lakes Loons (27-31, 63-64) on Tuesday evening at Dow Diamond.

Murphy (Win, 4-3) struck out seven batters in notching his team-leading seventh quality start of the year, limiting the Loons to a Jared Walker solo home run in the second inning.

That home run gave the Loons the early 1-0 lead, but it was short-lived. A fourth-inning RBI single from David Jacob tied the score, and a fifth-inning three-run double from Knight untied it against Loons starter Alfredo Tavarez (Loss, 0-1).

Knight added a two-run double in a vital three-run seventh inning, bumping the Lugnuts' lead up to 7-1.

Great Lakes' last gasp came in the bottom of the eighth against reliever Denis Diaz . After back-to-back one-out walks to Saige Jenco and Gavin Lux, Jeren Kendall lashed a two-run triple and raced home on a Yeltsin Gudino throwing error.

Jared Carkuff (Save, 6) made sure the Loons came no closer, recording the final four outs in hitless fashion.

Nick Sinay extended his Midwest League record for hit-by-pitches in a season, plunked for the 38th time in addition to two hits, a walk and a stolen base. Joshua Palacios added a single, three walks and three runs scored.

Right-hander Dalton Rodriguez makes his Lugnuts debut at 7:05 p.m on Wednesday night, the second game of the three-game series, opposed by Loons right-hander Riley Ottesen (0-1, 5.79).

On Friday, the Nuts return home for a three-game series with the Fort Wayne TinCaps, opening with Oldsmobile Heritage Night presented with the R.E. Olds Transportation Museum featuring postgame LAFCU Fireworks. 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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