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Lansing Lugnuts

Nine-Inning Epic Sees TinCaps Tip Lugs

September 1, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


LANSING, Mich. - In three hours and 44 minutes of grueling baseball, the Fort Wayne TinCaps (41-22, 73-58) edged past the Lansing Lugnuts (29-33, 71-61), 11-9, on Monday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

The game featured 20 runs, 29 hits, nine walks, five errors and a game-clinching two-run rally by the TinCaps in the ninth.

After losing leads of 4-0 and 7-5 in the early going, the Lugs rallied against TinCaps closer Colby Blueberg in the bottom of the eighth. Michael De La Cruz plated D.J. Davis with an RBI single, drawing Lansing within 9-8, before Chris Carlson coaxed a two-out bases loaded walk to tie the game.

But Fort Wayne struck back, as it had all night long. Facing Phil Kish (Loss, 1-4), Michael Gerber broke the tie with an RBI fielder's choice. After a steal of second base, the TinCaps prospect came trotting home on Josh VanMeter's booming double to right-center, capping the scoring.

Blueberg (Win, 4-1) pitched a perfect ninth to secure the win.

Lansing piled up 15 hits for the second straight game, highlighted by a huge showing from center fielder Josh Almonte. The New York City native singled, doubled and tripled in his first three at-bats. Presented with the chance at the cycle, lining out to the pitcher and reaching on an infield single in his final two trips.

Lugnuts starter Tom Robson lasted only 2 2/3 innings, striking out one, allowing one hit, four walks and four runs. His counterpart with Fort Wayne, Chris Huffman, was knocked out five batters into the third inning, stung for seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in two innings-plus.

Trae Santos slugged his fourteenth home run of the season in the winning cause for Fort Wayne, his third homer in the TinCaps' last four games against the Lugs.

The rubber match between the two ballclubs will take place on an Eat-A-Palooza presented by Gordon Food Service, with the $21 price of admission including all-you-can-eat food inside the ballpark. Right-hander Chase Mallard (6-6, 5.24) heads to the mound at 7:05 p.m. against Fort Wayne left-hander Jose Castillo (0-1, 3.86). To purchase tickets, call (517) 485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.

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