Lansing - On the first Thirsty Thursday of the season at Oldsmobile Park, the Lansing Lugnuts were hungry to get their third win in a row.
The Lugnuts (9-5) did just that, beating the Beloit Snappers, 2-0, on the inaugural in-park cheap beer fest. It was Lansing's second two-run win over the Snappers (5-9) in as many games.
"Pitching and defense are something we have to keep winning," manager Julio Garcia said. "Hopefully, those are things we can continue to have all season."
Despite two errors, the Lugnuts made some fantastic plays and had some lucky ones, as well.
In the fifth inning, first baseman Brian Dopirak made a great play on a hotshot hit down the first baseline. Dopirak made the catch and touched first base to double off Beloit right fielder Robby Deevers, who didn't even know the ball was caught.
The 'Nuts then found luck on their side in the eighth inning, when the Snappers had runners at first and third with two outs. Beloit left fielder Drew Anderson hit a ball to right field that looked destined to be a base hit, however, the ball hit a Beloit runner, third baseman Adam Heether. By rule, the ball was ruled dead and the runner was called out on interference.
"I've seen that once or twice, but not very often," Lansing designated hitter Kevin Collins said. "That was a big break, the winds were blowing in our favor on that one."
Collins provided the game-winning run when he blasted a solo home run in the second inning. The round-tripper was approximately 402 feet to straight-away center field and was his second in three games.
After finishing last season hitting only .225, Collins has been on a tear in the first 14 games of this season. After a 2-for-2 effort on Thursday night, he is now hitting .333 for the season, which is good for second on the team.
"I've just been swinging the bat really well so far - just trying to get good pitches to hit," Collins said. "I just keep working (the pitchers) and wait for them to make a mistake."
The guys pitching on Collins' side continued to be as mistake-free as possible. Starting pitcher Billy Petrick (2-0) threw six innings, giving up no runs on five hits, while striking out two and walking just one batter.
"I battled a lot, but I knew I had to get the guys out," Petrick said. "When I really needed to, I located the ball and had the team backing me up in the field."
The trio of Clay Rapada, Juan Mateo and Adalberto Mendez combined to complete the shutout, giving up four hits in three innings. Mendez came in at the ninth to pick up his sixth save of the season.
The Lugnuts look to earn a series sweep over the Snappers at 6:05 p.m. Friday at Oldsmobile Park, 505 E. Michigan Ave. in Lansing. It is the final game of a four-game series against Beloit.
