Lansing stuns Fort Wayne to earn series split
Published on June 8, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING - In a series that has been defined by rain and late-inning comebacks, it seemed only fitting that the Fort Wayne Wizards and Lansing Lugnuts would play games that highlighted both Sunday afternoon at Oldsmobile Park. The Lugnuts stunned the Wizards by taking the completion of a suspended game 7-6 in 10 innings. Lansing also won the regularly scheduled game 3-2 despite a 2 hour 20 minute rain delay to earn a series split.
The first game was the completion of Saturday's contest, which was stopped in the bottom of the ninth and a man on first for Lansing with Fort Wayne leading 6-5. After Justin Jackson drew a walk, Kevin Ahrens ripped a single into right field that scored Eric Eiland to tie the game at 6-6.
The run came off of Fort Wayne closer Jackson Quezada, who blew his first save of the year in his 14th attempt.
The Lugnuts would then win it in the next frame as Manny Rodriguez hammered the first pitch of the inning from Robert Woodard onto the right field berm. His walk-off blast gave Lansing a 7-6 win in 10 innings.
Joe Wice (1-0) got the win for Lansing after tossing a scoreless 10th.
The two teams then played the nightcap and the Wizards took an early 1-0 lead when two Lansing errors led directly to Fort Wayne' first inning run.
Luis Perez then dominated from there for Lansing, as he retired the final 12 men he faced before a rain delay in the middle of the fourth forced him from the game.
When play finally resumed, Yohermyn Chavez stepped up for the Lugnuts and drilled a solo homer to tie the game at 1-1. The dinger came on the first pitch of the inning from Brandon Gomes.
Matt Liuzza later added a two-run single with the bases loaded that extended the lead to 3-1.
Tim Collins (1-0) earned the win in relief for the Lugnuts after tossing two shutout frames.
Gomes (4-2) shouldered the loss for the Wizards, as he allowed all three Lugnuts runs.
Lansing (36-27) now has a three-game lead in the Eastern Division over Fort Wayne and the West Michigan Whitecaps with seven to play in the first half. The Lugnuts and Whitecaps begin a four-game series Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m.
Midwest League Stories from June 8, 2008
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- Whitecaps Earn Series Split - Great Lakes Loons
- Lansing stuns Fort Wayne to earn series split - Lansing Lugnuts
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- Cougars Get Split, Closer to Playoffs - Kane County Cougars
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- Snappers Fall; Split Series - Beloit Sky Carp
- Chiefs Sweep First-place Clinton 9-7 - Peoria Chiefs
- In a long game, Whitecaps blowout Loons - West Michigan Whitecaps
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- Late rally falls short as âCaps drop game one - West Michigan Whitecaps
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