Lugnuts can't muster up enough magic to knock off Wizards
June 6, 2008 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING - A big seventh inning rally and huge night by Justin Baum lifted the Fort Wayne Wizards to an 11-5 come-from-behind victory over the Lansing Lugnuts Friday night before 6,829 fans at Oldsmobile Park. The win pulls Fort Wayne to within one game of the Lugnuts for first place in the Eastern Division with nine games to play in the first half.
Lansing had the advantage throughout most of the night as the Lugnuts' Matt Liuzza and Moises Sierra hit back-to-back home runs in the first inning to put Lansing ahead 3-0.
The Lugnuts led 4-2 in the seventh when the Wizards had the bases empty with two men out. Angel Mercado and Luis Martinez were then able to reach on consecutive errors by Lansing's John Tolisano and Kevin Ahrens, which kept the inning alive for the visitors.
Luis Durango drew a walk and Robert Perry reached on an infield single to cut the lead to 4-3. Reliever Chi-Hung Cheng was lifted after the hit in favor of Joe Wice, who promptly walked Lance Zawadzski to tie the game at 4-4. Justin Baum then strolled to the plate and crushed a grand slam beyond the center field wall to put the Wizards ahead 8-4.
All six runs in the inning were unearned to the Lugnuts pitching staff.
Lansing had an opportunity to jump right back in it, as the Lugnuts scored once in the bottom of the inning and had two men in scoring position with one out. However a pair of flyouts ended the threat.
Baum's night was not done though as he added a two-run triple in the ninth to put the game away at 10-5. He finished the contest 4-for-5 with two homers and seven RBI, as he also had a solo shot in the second inning.
Brandon Gomes (4-1) picked up the win for the Wizards by tossing 2 1/3 innings of relief and allowing one unearned run.
Cheng (3-2) took the loss after allowing four runs in 2 2/3 innings. He had retired the first eight he faced, and none of the runs were earned to him.
The two teams had to wait out a 1 hour 12 minute rain delay before the game.
Lansing (34-27) and Fort Wayne (33-28) will continue the series Saturday night at 7:05 p.m. Randy Boone (6-2, 2.56) will hurl for the Lugnuts, while Jeremy McBryde (1-4, 4.40) is scheduled to start for the Wizards. Saturday will be Christian Family night at Oldsmobile Park, with LAFCU Fireworks to follow the game.
Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2008
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- Lugnuts can't muster up enough magic to knock off Wizards - Lansing Lugnuts
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- Cougars bitten by Snappers - Kane County Cougars
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