Welcome to Lansing, Javier Hernandez

LANSING, Mich. - Javier Hernandez lined a game-winning RBI single in his first Midwest League game, and the Lansing Lugnuts (1-4, 38-33) defeated the Bowling Green Hot Rods (1-4, 32-40), 4-3, on Monday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

The Lugnuts won their sixth straight game against the Hot Rods, coming on the heels of six straight losses to West Michigan.

Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. led off the bottom of the ninth with a single off Deivy Mendez(Loss, 1-3), taking second base on a wild pitch. Pinch-runner Rodrigo Orozco entered for Guerrero and moved to third on a Mitch Nay groundout. Following intentional walks to Christian Williams and Nash Knight , Mendez struck out J.B. Woodman . Hernandez singled to left-center on Mendez's next pitch, bringing in Orozco and bringing out a collection of jubilant water-throwing teammates in a celebration near second base.

The early tone was set by starter Mike Ellenbest , who tossed six scoreless innings, scattering three hits and two walks while striking out three.

Lansing built a 3-0 lead against knuckleballer Chris Pike on a first-inning Bo Bichette RBI single, a fourth-inning Williams RBI double and a Knight RBI groundout.

Bowling Green designated hitter Josh Lowe tied the score with a three-run homer in the eighth inning off reliever Juliandry Higuera , making his first Lugnuts appearance.

Higuera (Win, 1-0) rebounded, pitching the final three innings and striking out three Hot Rods.

In the win, Bichette was 2-for-4 to raise his league-leading batting average to .396 and Williams was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple.

Tuesday is a Dollar Deal Day -- $1 hot dogs, $1 ice cream sandwiches and $1 fountain drinks! Gates open at 6 p.m. with a 7:05 p.m. start, featuring Lugnuts right-hander Yennsy Diaz (2.31) opposite Hot Rods right-hander Adrian Navas (7.74). 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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