Lugnuts Offense Continues To Sizzle

There is only one word to describe the offense of the Blue Jay prospects in Lansing right now and that word is smoking.

For the third time in eight games, the Lugnuts put up ten runs as they defeated the South Bend Silverhawks by the score of 10-2 on Thursday night in front of 6268 fans at Oldsmobile Park. The Lugnuts have now scored 55 runs in eight their eight games on the season.

Lansing starter Russell Savickas would struggle early as he gave up two runs in the second inning, however he eventually settled into a groove and retired the last ten batters that he faced.

“I gave up a couple of ground ball hits, but that happens because I was using my sinker a lot,“ Savickas stated after the game.

However the trademark of this team is being able to come back in a big way. Designated hitter Joey Metropolous extended his hit streak to seven games as he led the bottom of the second off with a double, and later scored on a two-run shot to left by catcher Brian Bormaster, knotting the score at two after two innings. The home run was special for Bormaster for a couple of reasons. It was not only his first home run in the Midwest League, but his father was in the stands in Lansing and was celebrating his 50th birthday.

“It felt great," Bormaster said. "I got a fastball and put a really good swing on it and it felt really good. I was excited that it got out of the park.”

Bormaster added to his fathers joy on his birthday as he finished the night going 2-for-3 with a walk, three RBI and two runs scored.

With the Lugnuts leading 5-2 in the sixth, Cory Patton continued his torrid pace as he stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and drove a ball just inside the first base line for a bases clearing double putting the Lugnuts up 8-2. Patton later added a two-run homer putting the Lugnuts up 10-2 and gave Patton a 2-for-5 night with five RBI.

“I knew they were probably going to end up going to a change up eventually because that is what a lot of teams have been trying to get me out wit” Patton said on his approach on his bases clearing triple.

“I got a 2-0 change up and got a little ahead of it and was able to keep it fair down the line.”

Billy Carnline entered the game in relief in the seventh inning and continued his spectacular relief effort on the season. He pitched three innings of one hit ball, picking up his first save of the season. Carnline has pitched nine scoreless innings this season, allowing just three hits, issuing one walk, and striking out thirteen batters.

“I’ve been trying to work in and out, and up and down, elevating the ball when I need too and it seems to be working right now” stated Carnline on his approach to the season. “I had a curveball starting out in short season last year and towards the end I got away from it. I started throwing the slider that I have now which has proven to be a good two-strike pitch.”

The win improves the Lugnuts record to 6-2 on the season. Savickas picked up the win and improves to 1-0 with a microscopic 1.54 ERA. Carnline picked up his first save of the season. The Lugnuts and Silverhawks will play game two of their three game series on Friday at 6:05. RHP Adrian Martin will take the mound for Lansing and will be opposed by South Bend right hander Cody Evans.