Lugnuts win wild one
Published on June 20, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING - Fort Wayne closer Jackson Quezada has been dominant this season against seemingly everyone in the league, but the Lansing Lugnuts may have his number. The Lugnuts rallied for three runs in the ninth, shocking the Wizards in a 6-5 victory before 6,198 jubilant fans at Oldsmobile Park Friday night.
Quezada (2-3) began the year by converting his first 14 saves before blowing his first of the year nearly two weeks ago against the Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park. Friday night was his first chance at a save since then, but the Lugnuts valiantly rallied to stun the hurler, sending him to his second straight blown chance.
The Lugnuts trailed by two runs entering the ninth, but got consecutive infield singles from Raul Barron and John Tolisano to start the rally. Moises Sierra then drew a one-out walk to load the bases for Kevin Ahrens, who lined a single just out of the reach of shortstop Drew Cumberland. The hit plated Barron to make it 5-4, but Tolisano was thrown out at home for the second out of the inning.
Mike McDade followed that by softly hitting a ball towards the third baseman Justin Baum. Baum charged in to make the play, but his throw to first bounced into the right field bullpen, allowing both runners to score and giving the Lugnuts the comeback win.
The Lugnuts had led the game for most of the evening before Fort Wayne scored four times in the eighth inning against Edgar Estanga to take a 5-2 lead.
Andy Parrino had an RBI double in the frame and later scored on Felix Carrasco's single that put the Wizards ahead 3-2. Yefri Carvajal's then drilled a two-run homer that pushed the lead to 5-2.
The Lugnuts would answer with one run in the bottom of the eighth on Justin Jackson's RBI single.
Lansing had taken a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning. Tolisano had a sacrifice fly in the frame and Moises Sierra added a solo homer. It was his sixth dinger of the year.
Marc Rzepczynski started the game for the Lugnuts, but did not factor into the decision. He gave up just one run on three hits in six innings of work.
Joe Wice (2-0) got the win with a perfect inning of relief in the ninth,
Lansing (41-31, 2-0) and Fort Wayne (37-35, 0-2) will continue the series on Saturday night. Brad Mills (5-3, 2.75) will pitch for the Lugnuts, while Aaron Breit (1-0, 0.93) will take the hill for the Wizards.
It will be Country Night at Oldsmobile Park with LAFCU Fireworks following the game. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.
Midwest League Stories from June 20, 2008
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