LANSING, Mich. – Gustavo Pierre drove in three runs and blasted a pair of triples to help the Lansing Lugnuts (14-9, 61-31) to a 6-2 victory over the Cedar Rapids Kernels (8-15, 40-53) on Sunday afternoon at Cooley Law School Stadium.
Pierre lashed a two-out RBI triple in the fourth, a two-out RBI single in the sixth and a two-out RBI triple again in the eighth.
Michael Crouse, a 2011 MWL Midseason and Postseason All-Star, made his return to the Lugnuts in productive fashion. Crouse stole a pair of bases, scored three times and smashed a double.
The Lugnuts scored three runs in the fourth inning off Cedar Rapids starter Aaron Meade (Loss, 2-1) to back a career performance by starting pitcher Anthony DeSclafani.
DeSclafani (Win, 7-3) tossed a career-high six innings while allowing just two runs, zero walks, seven singles and striking out one.
The lefty Meade held the Lugnuts scoreless in the first three innings until K.C. Hobson recorded an RBI infield single in the fourth as part of a 2-for-4 day.
Chris Peters smacked an RBI single in the fourth inning for his first base hit as a Lugnut. The left fielder added a pair of walks as well.
Brandon Berl twirled a pair of scoreless innings out of the Lugnuts’ bullpen and Ajay Meyer recorded a perfect ninth.
The Lugs go for the sweep on Monday, July 16th at 7:05 p.m. Lefty Justin Nicolino (4-2, 2.38) starts for the Lansing; righty Frank De Jiulio (4-3, 6.75) will be on the bump for Cedar Rapids.
