Dayton Dragons at Lansing Lugnuts
April 13th, 2002
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E-Theriot, LOB DAY-7, LAN-8, 2B-Gutierrez, SB-Williamson, CS-Miliano, SACB-Campana, Theriot, Cedeno, Arteaga
SO-Campana, Varner 2, Williamson 2, Huguet 2, Cedeno, Bouras, Slavik 2, Arteaga, Silver, BB-Lewis, Encarnacion, Williamson 2, Theriot 2, Johnson, Silver
T-2:19, A-3,908
U-D.J. Reyburn, John Uhlenhopp
Dayton Daily News
Whatever problems the Dayton Dragons had opening the season against Fort Wayne have disappeared against Lansing.
Noochie Varner's eighth inning single scored Domonique Lewis with the go ahead run as the Dragons won their third straigh game, 2-1 over the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park Saturday afternoon.
For the first time in the series Dayton had to rally after Lansing took a 1-0 lead on J.J. Johnson's RBI single in the fifth. The Dragons tied the game in the seventh when Jesse Gutierrez scored on a two out error by Lugnuts' second baseman Ryan Theriot.
Lewis walked to lead off the eighth against Lansing reliever Yorkin Ferreras (0-1) and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Wandel Campana. Varner followed with the game winner.
Juan Frias (1-1) pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless two hit relief for the win. Joe Powers recorded the final two outs for his first save of the season.
Lansing State Journal
by Matthew Horn
The Lansing Lugnuts came up short in a pitching duel Saturday.
Lansing starter Nick Martin pitched 4 1/3 shutout innings, but it wasn't enough as the Lugnuts fell 2-1 to Dayton.
The Dragons have won the first three games of a four game series.
"Martin and the bullpen did an outstanding job." said Lugnuts manager Julio Garcia, "We pitched well and (Steve) Ellis got out of a jam with a nice double play. We threw strikes and had four 1-2-3 innings."
Ellis allowed an unearned run in the seventh inning and Dayton (5-6) scored the game winner off Yorkin Ferreras (0-1) in the eighth.
Martin, who ledt the game after reaching his pitch limit of 65, said he simple tried to get ahead of hitters, "I used my second and third pitch and had good command of all my pitches," he said, "I kept the hitters off balance and guys did a good job behind me."
J.J. Johnson drove in the only Lugnut run when he singled in Hector Miliano in the fifth inning off Dayton start Justin Carter.
"I knews he wouldn't throw a fastball." Johnson said, "He was throwing junk so I sat back with the midset to take it up the middle."
Johnson leads the Midwest League with 11 RBI. Miliano had three hits fro the Lugnuts.
Juan Frias (1-1) got the win, allowing two hits in 3 1/3 innings of relief. Joe Powers got his first save .
Notes
by Mark Feather
The utility position can be one of the toughest roles in baseball.
But Joshua Arteaga has emerged as one of the most versatile players for the Lansing Lugnuts this season making the job of playing several positions look simple.
"Game time is game time and I'm prepared to play second, third or short at anytime I'm needed." Arteaga said. "They got me prepared for it in spring training and I feel comfortable that I can fulfill the role."
The 5 for 9 right hander from Homestead, Florida, has earned three starts at second base, two at third and filled the slot at designated hitter on three other occasions.
His best performance in the field took place in the second game of the Lugnuts' double header with the West Michigan WhiteCaps on Tuesday. He made several excellent plays at third base.
He has five hits, three runs, two RBI and no errors in eight games.
Arteaga hit .318 in 40 games with Boise in the short season A league.
"I like to see him on the field because he's along for the ride like the rest of us and he deserves it." said Lansing infielder Ryan Theriot.
"He's going to capitalize on every opportunity and it's a hot commodity to have a guy that can play so many positions effectively."
The 22 years old was drafted in the 20th round by the Chicago Cubs in 2001.
Double Take
The Lugnuts infield defense has been tough to penetrate thus far. The team has turned three double plays on three seperate occasions this season. Lansing turned two only eight times last year.
"It really helps when you can end the inning quickly because the faster you get back on the field, the more alert and in tune to the game the players will stay."
The Lugnuts have recorded 14 double plays in ten games this season.
Making It Big
Two former Lugnut pitchers from 1998 made major league debuts last week.
Corey Thurman pitched a total of 3 2/3 innings against the Twins over two games. His first outing took place on April 5.
Jeremy Affeldt made his first appearance in the major leagues as a Royal one day after his former teammate.
He gave up one run on three hits with one strikeout in the Royals loss to the Chicago White Sox.
Thurman and Affeldt are the 18th and 19th Lugnuts to complete the journey to the major leagues respectively.
Carlos Zambrano, a Lugnut pitcher in the 1999 season, was called up from Triple A Iowa on Thursday. Zambrano is 1-2 as a Cub, seeing action in six games in 2001.
Curse of the Dragons
Lansing lost the first 10 games against the Dayton Dragons last season, before winning the last five of the regular season. The Lugnuts have now lost five in a row, dating back to a two game playoff sweep by the Dragons to end the Lugnuts season last year.
"The streak thing is sort of a cliche because every game is a new day." said Lugs manager Julio Garcia, "I can't put my finger on it, but they always pitch well against us and have been tought to hit."