Lugnuts return the favor, embarrass Dragons

Miguel Rojas of the Dragons went 0-for-3 in Dayton’s 11-2 loss against the Lansing Lugnuts at Fifth Third Field on Monday, June 15.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam Miguel Rojas of the Dragons went 0-for-3 in Dayton’s 11-2 loss against the Lansing Lugnuts at Fifth Third Field on Monday, June 15.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Michael Konstanty of the Dragons gets caught in a rundown between first and second base, but Michael McDade of the Lugnuts misses the ball on the play.

Staff photo by Teesha McClam Michael Konstanty of the Dragons gets caught in a rundown between first and second base, but Michael McDade of the Lugnuts misses the ball on the play.

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By Marc Katz, Staff Writer 11:20 PM Monday, June 15, 2009

One day after being browbeaten by the Dragons, the Lansing Lugnuts returned to Fifth Third Field with figurative tire irons.

In a reverse of Sunday, the Lugnuts clubbed the Dragons  11-2 on Monday, June 15, starting with a first-pitch homer by Justin McClanahan off Dayton starter Curtis Partch.

It was an interesting game for Partch, who struck out eight and walked only one in five innings, but also allowed six runs and eight hits, two of them homers (of the three homers the Lugnuts hit).

“Lansing hit the hell out of the ball tonight,” Dragons manager Todd Benzinger said. “I noticed in the fourth inning when Curtis struck out the side, he didn’t look too happy. It was because he wasn’t hitting his spots.

“I guess he’s got to not hit his spots more often.”

In an attempt to recapture some of Sunday’s 13-0 success by the Dragons, manager Todd Benzinger used the same lineup — as submitted by his hitting coach, Tony Jaramillo — except for new first baseman Mike Konstanty, just recalled from extended spring training.

Konstanty — grandson of the late Jim Konstanty, National League MVP as a relief pitcher with the Phillies in 1950 — was needed because first baseman/outfielder Stephen Chapman has a sprained ankle, and reliever Aguido Gonzalez was put on the disabled list with a groin strain.

Konstanty made an immediate impact with a full-count two-run homer to tie the score in the second, and he collected two of the Dragons three hits.

Dragons tales

Infielder Yen-Wen Kuo, on the disabled list with a concussion, has been reassigned to rookie Billings, Mont. ... Jesus Carnevale, who pitched briefly with the Dragons earlier this season, has been released by the parent Reds. Also released from extended spring training was outfielder and Bellbrook native Matt Stiffler, who never made it to the Dragons ... Tony Brown, who began the season in the Dragons outfield and was promoted to Sarasota, has been reassigned to Billings.

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