MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Lopez's Streak Continues, Lugnuts' Streak Ends in 12-4 Loss

August 15, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


LANSING, Mich. - Otto Lopez went 2-for-5 with a two-run single to extend his hitting streak to 16 games, but that was one of the few bright spots for the Lansing Lugnuts (27-25, 59-62) in a 12-4 loss to the Fort Wayne TinCaps (22-30, 55-65) on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium, ending the Lugnuts' season high five-game winning streak.

However, since South Bend lost in ten innings to Lake County, 2-1, the Nuts stayed one game behind the Cubs for the Eastern Division's final playoff berth. 18 games remain in the regular season.

The Lugnuts had allowed a total of 14 runs in winning five straight games against the Cubs, Dayton Dragons and TinCaps, but fell victim to a 13-hit barrage and mistakes of their own making.

Aided by a missed-catch error by second baseman LJ Talley, the TinCaps took a 1-0 lead in the second inning, and then added four more runs in the fourth aided by errors charged to Talley and first baseman Jake Brodt.

Lugnuts starter Troy Watson (Loss, 6-4) pitched five innings, giving up five runs - only one of which was earned - on five hits and three walks.

The Nuts carved away at the deficit with two runs in the bottom of the fifth against Fort Wayne starter Efrain Contreras (Win, 5-5).

But the TinCaps answered with two runs in the sixth off Will McAffer, three runs in the eighth off Juan Nuñez, and a two-run Justin Lopez homer in the ninth off debuting right-hander Jose Espada - the 800th player to play for the Lugnuts in franchise history.

Lugnuts shortstop Lopez delivered a two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning to close out the scoring.

In defeat, designated hitter Ryan Gold went 2-for-4 with a single and his team-leading 25th double for the Lugnuts.

The rubber match of the three-game series will be held at 7:05 p.m. Friday, Faith and Family Night with post-game LAFCU Fireworks! Lugnuts right-hander Troy Miller (5.25 ERA) starts against Fort Wayne southpaw Cullen Dana (5.21). To live the Lug Life and purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com, call (517) 485-4500 or come to the Cooley Law School Stadium box office at 505 E. Michigan Ave. in downtown Lansing.

Check out the Lansing Lugnuts Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 15, 2019


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central