MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Lugnuts fall to TinCaps in rollercoaster opener

June 5, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


LANSING, Mich. - The Fort Wayne TinCaps (34-23) plated five runs in the eighth and ninth innings to come back and defeat the Lansing Lugnuts (25-30) by an 8-5 score on Wednesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

The Lugnuts are still winless against the TincCaps this season, falling in defeat all seven times the teams have faced each other.

With Lansing ahead 4-3 after seven frames, Fort Wayne plated three runs in the top of the eighth. In an odd, sloppy inning, the Caps tied the game at 4-4 when Lugnuts reliever Efrain Nieves (Loss, 1-1) errantly tossed a ball into left field while trying to field a bunt and throw out a runner at third. Two batters later, Brian Adams crushed a triple to deep right-center, scoring a pair and giving the TinCaps the 6-4 lead.

Lansing came back in the bottom of the inning as Kellen Sweeney drove in a run with a single to get the Lugs to within 6-5, but Fort Wayne added insurance in the ninth as two runs came across on a fielder's choice and a wild pitch against Lansing's Tucker Donahue.

The Lugnuts managed to put two on with nobody out in the bottom of ninth, bringing the game-tying run to the plate, but Roman Madrid kept them off the scoreboard for his 11th save of the season.

Fort Wayne's starter Zach Eflin took a no-decision in five innings of work. He allowed two runs to the Lugnuts - both earned - on six total hits. Eflin struck out two and walked one. Michael Kelly (Win, 2-0) earned the win with a scoreless seventh inning.

Javier Avendaño also took a no-decision in his start for Lansing, lasting 4.2 innings. He allowed three runs on six hits, but only two runs were earned. Avendaño struck out six, tying a season-high set on opening day, and allowed a pair of walks.

In the loss, Gustavo Pierre was 3-for-4 at the plate, good for the 18th multi-hit game of the year for the Midwest League All-Star. Sweeney finished 2-for-4, driving in three of Lansing's runs and Christian Lopes also drove in a pair.

Game two of the three-game series is set for a 7:05 p.m. start on Thursday night. Lansing will send left-hander Alonzo Gonzalez (2-3, 5.57) against Fort Wayne right-hander Bryan Rodriguez (0-0, 0.73).

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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Midwest League Stories from June 5, 2013


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