Lansing Continues Offensive Dominance

One day after returning from a road trip to Clinton, Iowa, and struggling to get anything going, a refreshed Lansing team got back to their offensive and winning ways on Saturday afternoon as they defeated the Beloit Snappers by a score of 6-3. All this despite a lack of sleep, and the flu bug making it’s way through the Lansing dugout.

“I don’t want to make excuses, but we are exhausted right now. We have the flu going through the clubhouse. David Hicks is home in bed right now.” stated an exhausted Lansing manager Ken Joyce following Saturday afternoon’s game.

The Lugnut bats started to awake in the third inning. Down by a score of 1-0, Anthony Garibaldi got things going as he lead the inning off with a single and later scored on a two out single by right fielder Jacob Butler. The single by Garibaldi snapped an 1-for-20 slump. He finished the day going 2-for-4 with a stolen base and a run scored.

“You’ve just got to go out everyday and give 110% and good things will happen,“ stated Garibaldi on his struggles on the season. The two-hit performance also gained praise from his manager following the game.

“I think he is getting some confidence. He’s an outstanding defensive player and he knows that.” stated Joyce. “All he has to do is carry that confidence over to the other side and his is going to be alright.”

Joey Metropoulos launched his second home run of the season, his first at home, to drive in Butler and put the Lugnuts up 3-1. Lansing added two runs in the fourth and one in the fifth to close out their scoring on the day.

Starter Chi-Hung Cheng showed at times flashes of his time in Lansing last year, struggling with his command, with one notable exception from Lansing manger Ken Joyce.

“That was a vision of the old Chi-Hung Cheng from last year. He was able to battle and compete through it. That was the difference from last year,” stated Joyce. “It was nice to see him be able to go out there and compete without his best stuff”. Cheng departed the game after the fifth inning.

Po-Hsuan Keng followed in relief of Cheng and gave up his first run of the season in the eighth inning, on a home run to right field by Beloit pinch hitter Andrew Thompson. The run snapped a 16 inning scoreless by Keng. On the season, he has thrown 16 2/3 innings, giving up 11 hits, while walking 3 and striking out 13.

“I just try to be ready and try and throw strikes.” Keng said on his success so far this season.

For the record: Chi-Hung Cheng gets the win and improves to 3-1 on the season. The loss goes to 2004 first round draft pick Kyle Waldrop. Paul Phillips picked up his second save of the season.

Streaks: Leadoff hitter Sean Shoffit wasted no time in extending his hit streak to ten games. Shoffit led the bottom of the first inning with a single, and finished the day going 3-for-5. His season average is .339.

Transactions: A couple of familiar faces have recently found themselves back in Lansing due to injuries. Emmanuel Sena and Adrian Martin have been placed on the disabled list. 2005 Lugnuts Luke Hetherington and Joey McLaughlin have been called up from extended spring training to take their place on the roster.