Lopes leads Lugs to 7-4 victory at Dayton
Published on May 10, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
DAYTON, OH - Christian Lopes delivered a two-run double in a game-breaking sixth inning rally and later added a solo home run, helping the Lansing Lugnuts (10-21) avoid a three-game sweep with a 7-4 triumph over the Dayton Dragons (12-21) on Friday night at Fifth Third Field.
The game was delayed by rain one hour and 33 minutes before the scheduled first pitch.
With the score tied 2-2 entering the top of the sixth, Dayton starter Pedro Diaz (Loss, 0-3) served up consecutive base hits to Dwight Smith, Jr. and Shane Opitz before Lopes hung a clothesline to the left field wall to give the Lugs the lead.
Lansing victimized reliever Wandy Peralta for two further runs in the frame, grabbing a comfortable 6-2 advantage.
An inning later, the 20-year-old second baseman lined his second home run of the season to left-center to close out Lansing's scoring.
In his debut year in the Midwest League, Lopes leads the Lugnuts with a .333 average, 42 hits and 23 RBIs.
Lugnuts starters had allowed 16 runs in 4 2/3 combined innings in the first two games of the series, but left-hander Alonzo Gonzalez (Win, 2-2) struck out four while limiting the Dragons to three runs, two earned, on eight hits in six innings.
Reliever Ian Kadish struck out four Dragons over the course of the seventh and eighth innings, allowing a run on two hits.
Former Marshall teammate Arik Sikula struck out the side in a perfect ninth to record his first save.
The Lugnuts now return home to Cooley Law School Stadium to open a three-game series with the Great Lakes Loons with a 7:05 p.m. Saturday night affair featuring postgame LAFCU Fireworks. Nuts right-hander Taylor Cole (1-2, 4.34) receives the start in the series opener, opposed by Loons right-hander Angel Sanchez (1-3, 4.63).
Lansing Lugnuts tickets are available for purchase at lansinglugnuts.com and by calling 517-485-4500, and Lugnuts text alerts are easily accessed by texting LUGNUTS to 313131.
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