COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Pedro Pineda went 3-for-5 with a pair of doubles to lead a 15-hit attack, but the Lansing Lugnuts (19-27, 48-62) were unable to overcome an early deficit in a 10-6 loss to the West Michigan Whitecaps (28-19, 52-59) on Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Jake Reinisch, Daniel Bucciero, Logan Sauve, Dylan Fien and Rodney Green, Jr. each collected two hits for the Lugnuts in defeat.
The game saw a second inning departure due to injury precaution for West Michigan starting pitcher Brady Smith, acquired from the Dodgers as part of a three-player package for Tarik Skubal.
The Whitecaps scored nine runs in 2 2/3 innings against Lansing starter Devin Kirby-Williams, thanks to a Bryce Rainer solo home run in the first inning, a three-run second inning and a five-run third.
Jake Reinisch put the Lugnuts on the board with a two-run triple in the third inning, circling the bases on a fielding error by center fielder Andrew Sojka. Reinisch finished the game 2-for-4 with a walk, extending his on-base to 27 games.
Two innings later, Sojka lost a Rodney Green, Jr. fly ball in the lights for a two-run double, then never saw a Pedro Pineda RBI double over his head that brought the Nuts within 9-6.
But Sojka gained a measure of redemption with a home run in the sixth off of Tzu-Chen Sha, and the Lugnuts were blanked in the final four innings by Ryan Harvey and Zack Lee.
Sha did distinguish himself in defeat, striking out five batters in 1 2/3 innings.
In the series finale, Lansing right-hander Jorge Marcheco duels with West Michigan right-hander Connor Fenlong on Sunday at 2 p.m.
Then, after a day off on Monday, the Lugnuts return home from August 18-23, welcoming the St. Louis Cardinals-affiliated Peoria Chiefs. For tickets and more information, call (517) 485-4500 or visit www.milb.com/lansing.
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