MWL1 Lansing Lugnuts

Lugs Falls Just Short in Dayton, 4-3

Published on August 25, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release


DAYTON, OH - The Lansing Lugnuts (33-29, 76-56) closed to within one run with the bases loaded and one out in the ninth before falling, 4-3, to the Dayton Dragons (25-37, 56-74) on Saturday night at Fifth Third Field.

The result halted Dayton's six-game losing streak against the Lugnuts. The Nuts own a 16-4 record in the season series against the Dragons.

Through the first seven innings, the Lugnuts had scored only one run - an inside-the-park home run by Brandon Grudzielanek in the fourth inning, the first Nuts inside-the-park home run since 2015.

The Dragons broke a 1-1 tie with three runs in the bottom of the seventh against reliever Matt Shannon (Loss, 3-5), thanks to RBI singles from Raul Wallace and Jeter Downs and an RBI fielder's choice from Leandro Santana, taking a 4-1 lead.

In the eighth inning, however, a throwing error by Alejo Lopez placed Reggie Pruitt at second base. After a Chavez Young groundout moved Pruitt to third, reliever Dauri Moreta (Win, 3-1) committed a run-scoring balk to bring the Nuts within 4-2.

That set the stage for a dramatic ninth inning.

Norberto Obeso led off against reliever Cory Thompson with a single to left-center. After a strikeout of Andres Sotillo, Bryan Lizardo grounded a seeing-eye single up the middle to advance Obeso to second. Vinny Capra then grounded to first baseman Leandro Santana, who committed a throwing error while intending to force out Lizardo at second, scoring Obeso to narrow the Dragons' lead to 4-3.

Dayton manager Luis Bolivar went to his bullpen, calling in left-hander Andy Cox. Lugnuts manager Cesar Martin countered with pinch-hitter Ryan Noda, who came through with a single up the middle to load the bases.

Bolivar went back to his bullpen for Wendolyn Bautista, and the veteran right-hander came through, striking out Pruitt and retiring Samad Taylor on a lineout to center to notch his second save of the year.

In the losing cause, Lansing starter Maximo Castillo tossed six innings, allowing four hits, two walks and one run, and striking out three - his team-leading sixth quality start.

Lansing right-hander Graham Spraker (3.29 ERA) starts the third game of the four-game series against Dayton right-hander Jared Solomon (5.19) at 2 p.m. Sunday.

The Nuts' next home game is an Eat-A-Palooza presented by Gordon Food Service on Wednesday, August 29th, against the Great Lakes Loons, with first pitch at 7:05 p.m. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life at Cooley Law School Stadium, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

Check out the Lansing Lugnuts Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from August 25, 2018


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