LUGNUTS BLANK YANKS IN OPENER

The 2004 season for the Battle Creek Yankees got off to a slow start as the Yankees were shutout 3-0 Thursday night by the visiting Lansing Lugnuts at C.O. Brown Stadium.

Battle Creek was only able to muster four hits off four Lugnuts pitchers. Sean Marshall (1-0) went six innings, giving up three hits and striking out seven to earn the win. Clay Rapada, Randy Wells and Weston O’Brien each pitched one inning in relief, with O'Brien earning the save.

Lansing broke a scoreless tie with a run in the sixth. Brian Dopirak doubled to lead off the inning, took third on a wild pitch, and scored on Drew Larsen’s sacrifice fly. The Lugnuts would add to their lead the next two innings scoring one run in each.

Battle Creek never had more than one hit in an inning and had only one runner reach second base all night.

Chase Wright (0-1) went six innings giving up five hits, one run and striking out six getting the loss for Battle Creek.

The series continues at 6 pm on Friday with T.J. Beam pitching for Battle Creek going up against Ronald Bay for Lansing.