LANSING, Mich. – Noah Syndergaard, Brandon Berl and Ian Kadish combined to shut out the Fort Wayne TinCaps (34-28, 65-67) in a record-setting 4-0 Lansing Lugnuts (31-29, 78-51) victory on Sunday afternoon on Jackson Field.
Lansing matched the franchise record for wins in a season, set in 2007 by a Lugs squad that finished 78-61.
The outcome also marked the Lugnuts’ 16th shutout of the season, breaking Lansing’s single-season franchise record.
Syndergaard (Win, 8-5) went five innings, gave up four hits, walked one and struck out four. Berl went two innings of one-hit ball and struck out one. Kadish (Save, 1) tossed two hitless innings and struck out three.
The Lugnuts scored three runs against TinCaps starter Frank Garces (Loss, 9-6), all in the third inning. Kevin Patterson (1-for-3) delivered a sacrifice fly before Michael Crouse (1-for-4) rocked a two-run double to left-center.
Garces, Fort Wayne's top starting pitcher, lasted just 3 2/3 innings, allowing six hits and three runs, walking a pair and striking out two.
Lansing added a fourth run in the eighth inning on an Aaron Munoz RBI single off reliever Luis De La Cruz.
Center fielder Nick Baligod spearheaded a 10-hit attack, reaching base four times on three singles and a walk. K.C. Hobson added a pair of singles in five at-bats.
The third game of the four-game series is Monday, August 27th at 7:05 p.m. Lansing will have lefty Justin Nicolino (9-4, 2.52) on the mound as they go for their record-breaking 79th win this season; Colin Rea (5-8, 3.64) will start for Fort Wayne.
