
Lugs Go Big Early to Knock off TinCaps, 9-6
July 30, 2021 - Midwest League (MWL)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - Lester Madden, Jr., keyed a six-run third inning with a three-run double and Cobie Vance made a sensational game-changing defensive play in the seventh, helping the Lansing Lugnuts (36-40) hold off the Fort Wayne TinCaps (35-41), 9-6, on Friday night at Jackson® Field.
With two outs in the pivotal seventh inning, the TinCaps trailed 7-6 against reliever Brock Whittlesey, but had advanced Tyler Malone to third and Reinaldo Ilarraza to second base on a double, error and stolen base. Lansing called upon Garrett Acton to face Jonny Homza, who sent a sharp grounder deep into the shortstop hole, a potential two-run go-ahead single - but Vance laid out to his right for a diving stop, jumped to his feet, and whipped a one-hop throw to first baseman William Simoneit to retire the side and thwart Fort Wayne.
Acton took hold of the game from there, pitching around a single and a walk in the eighth and a single in the ninth to lock down the Lugnuts' second straight win in the series after dropping the first two contests.
Neither team's starting pitcher escaped the third inning.
The Lugnuts' Reid Birlingmair brought a 1-0 lead into the frame but walked the bases loaded with one out, and then departed after a Luis Almanzar RBI single, finishing with 2 1/3 innings, three hits, five walks and two runs allowed.
The TinCaps' 2-1 lead then disappeared quickly in the home half; Connor Lehmann allowed the first five batters to reach, set down Jared McDonald on a flyout to right, and then served up a drive to left-center from Madden, Jr., that appeared to blow the game wide open. Lehmann lasted 2 2/3 innings in all, giving up eight hits, seven runs (six earned) and two walks in 2 2/3 innings.
But the TinCaps rallied from their 7-2 deficit with two runs in the fourth against Brandon Withers and sixth against Whittlesey to make the game tight.
The Lugnuts added insurance tallies in the seventh and eighth to close out the scoring.
Vance led the offense with a single, triple, walk and HBP in five trips, joining Simoneit and Jordan Díaz in scoring a pair of runs.
The fifth game in the series is a Copa de la Diversión game with the Lansing Locos returning to action at 7:05 p.m., sending right-hander Colin Peluse (3.90 ERA) against TinCaps right-hander Carlos Guarate (5.00). The first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. 25th Anniversary Bobblehead, with LAFCU Fireworks following the game. To purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
Midwest League Stories from July 30, 2021
- Kernels Stop Wisconsin 6-5 in Eleven Innings - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Veneziano's Gem, Means' Walk-Off Propels Q.C. Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Lugs Go Big Early to Knock off TinCaps, 9-6 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Snappers Rally Past Chiefs in Extra Innings - Peoria Chiefs
- Kernels Prevail in 11 Innings, 6-5 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Skelton Launches Two Home Runs as Snappers Win Back-to-Back Extra-Inning Games Over Chiefs - Beloit Sky Carp
- Captains Top Dragons 8-5 on Friday - Dayton Dragons
- Captains Strikeout 20 Dragons in Comeback Win - Lake County Captains
- TinCaps Fall To Lugnuts In Four Hour Affair - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Pages Scores All Five, Series Even - Great Lakes Loons
- Pages Turn 'Caps to 5-4 Loss - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Roster Transaction: Trio of Lugnuts Traded to Washington - Lansing Lugnuts
- Date for Green & Gold Charity Softball Challenge Changed to Sunday, August 15 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- TinCaps Transactions & Game Information: July 30 at Lansing - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Hometown Heroes Program to Recreate Missed Holidays for Servicemen and Women - Dayton Dragons
- Hellinger Joins Dayton - Dayton Dragons
- Doubleheader Between South Bend and Quad Cities Now Scheduled for August 21 - South Bend Cubs
- Dayton Dragons Game Notes for Friday - Dayton Dragons
- Lugnuts to Honor Michigan Teacher of the Year Leah Porter on Sunday - Lansing Lugnuts
- Dragons to Spotlight "Dayton Live" in Second "Rebuilding the Arts" Weekend - Dayton Dragons
- South Bend Falls to Quad Cities, 11-3 - South Bend Cubs
- Fire Alarm Delays Bandits' Monster Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Timber Rattlers Top Cedar Rapids 4-1 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Eight-Run 12th Inning Launches Snappers Over Chiefs - Beloit Sky Carp
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