Blue Jays Minor League Baseball Blog

The Lugnuts dropped the 3 game series against the Clinton Lumber Kings 2 games to 1. The series was taken on Sunday by the Kings in a 2-1 loss for Lansing. The loss came in clutch fashion as the Nuts were in the lead all the way until the bottom of the 9th when Clinton put together 2 runs to take the game.
The offense really struggled to get going for the Lugnuts as they only recorded 3 hits in the game. The only RBI came off the bat of CF Darin Mastroianni who went 1-for-3 with a double and his 9th RBI of the season. He also stole his 5th base of the season. The lone run scored came from 3B Kevin Ahrens who hit 1-of-4 getting a double as well. If the Nuts could have just gotten a few more runners on the bases they might have had a chance to keep Clinton from stealing the game.
Nathan Starner took the mound for Lansing and gave an all-star performance. He worked 7 innings giving up just 4 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk and 7 K’s. He didn’t get the win because of the 9th inning comeback but dropped his ERA to 1.29. Alan Farina was charged with the 2 winning runs pitching just 1 and 1/3rd innings giving up just 1 hits, 3 strike outs but he walked 3 giving the Kings enough chances to come back. Ross Buckwalter was the pitcher who actually gave up the final runs but because the runners were on base when he entered the game they get charged to Farina. He did however receive a blown save in the loss, giving him 1 on the season.
Lansing is still in 1st place of the MID Eastern but are now in a tie with the West Michigan White Caps. They will try to gain some ground on Monday as they hit the road to face the Quad Cities River Badits who are currently 13-9 and in 3rd place of the MID Western.

I just wanted to say that I attended the Lugnuts exhibition game on Thursday against the Michigan State Spartans. It was a little different to see a practice game mid-season but it was exciting. They only played 7 innings and the Nuts won the game 4-2.
The turnout was amazing and I believe I heard it was the largest crowd Lansing has seen since their debut. A lot of it had to do with the fact that it was Thirsty Thursday and beer was only 2 bucks but Spartan fans certainly showed up to support their team. I give a big pat on the back to the Spartans players who played a pretty good game holding their own in the “Crosstown Showdown.”
If anyone is in town and wants to see a fun baseball game for a cheap price (tickets ranging from $7 to $15 depending on your seat) they should stop in and see Lansing play ball. They are currently in 1st place in their division and are having a great season.

Lansing kept the wins coming on Wednesday as they matched up against the Peoria Chiefs 2-1. The win brings their record to 12-7 this season and keeps them in 1st place in the MID Eastern.
Shortstop Raul Barron had strong game going 1-for-4 with 2 RBI. His batting average is now at .488 this season and the 2 RBI were his 5th and 6th of the year. Catcher Matthew Liuzza also had a good game going 2-for-3 including a double. His batting average is now at .500 this year and the double was his 2nd. 2nd basemen Wesley Stone also went 2-for-3 with a run scored. His batting average is at an ugly .182 this season.
Bradley Mills took the mound for the Lugnuts and had a solid performance. He pitched 4 and 2/3rds innings giving up 5 hits, 1 run amd struck out 4. His ERA is now at 3.66 this season but he didn’t earn the win. Randy Boone came in to finish the game and earned the win. He pitched the final 2 innings giving up 0 hits and struck out 1. His ERA is now at 2.93 and he was given the win bringing his record to 2-0.
The Lugnuts will open up a series with the Clinton Lumber Kings on Friday. Righty Trystan Magnuson will get the start and will face off against Clinton righty Kennil Gomez.

Lansing came into the final game of the 3 game set just looking to hold the Kane County Cougars from sweeping the series. They did just that winning the game 10-4 bringing their record to 9-7 this season and putting them in 2nd place in the MID Eastern.
1st basemen Manuel Rodriguez had a great game for the Lugnuts going 3-for-5 including a double with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. He has a total of 20 RBI this season and has his batting average at a healthy .434. RF Moises Sierra also had a nice game going 2-for-5 including a double and 2 RBI. He now has 8 RBI this season and his batting average is at .268. SS Justin Jackson and Catcher Joel Collins had the only 2 homers in the game. Jackson’s was his 1st of the season and it was off Cougar starter Scott Hodsdon. Collins jack was also his 1st of the season and his was hit off Hodsdon as well.
Trystan Mangnuson took the mound for Lansing and pitched a strong 3 innings. He allowing 0 hits, 0 runs, and he struck out 3. His ERA is at an impressive 2.61 this season. Chi-Hung Cheng took the mound after Mangnuson and also had a solid game. He pitched 4 innings giving up 5 hits, 3 runs, and he struck out 3. He earned the win for the Lugnuts bringing his record to 2-0 this season and now has his ERA at 6.46.
Next Up: Lansing will open up a 3 game home stand against the Peoria Chiefs on Monday.