Perez walkoff caps Lugs' 9th inning rally
Published on May 23, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - Carlos Perez mashed a two-RBI double in the bottom of the ninth to cap the Lansing Lugnuts (32-13) four-run ninth-inning comeback to defeat the Dayton Dragons (17-29), 9-8, on Wednesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
Lansing is now 8-0 against the Dragons in the 2012 season series.
With the Lugs down 8-5 entering the bottom of the ninth, Dayton closer Carlos Contreras (Loss, 0-1) walked three of the first four hitters he faced to load the bases with one out. Kenny Wilson dragged an RBI single to left field, trimming the deficit to two. After a strikeout of Kellen Sweeney, Jon Berti was hit by a pitch to bring Lansing to within one run.
Perez followed by tattooing a two-run double beyond center fielder Kurtis Muller's reach to give the Lugs their second walk-off win of 2012.
The Dragons had taken the lead in the top of the eighth against Noah Syndergaard. The righty started strong, allowing one run and striking out four in his first three innings, but departed the 8th after serving up a Ryan Wright two-run double, Nick O'Shea RBI single and Sean Buckley RBI double.
Blake McFarland (Win, 3-1) relieved Syndergaard in the eighth and allowed one inherited runner to score before throwing a scoreless ninth inning to give the Lugnuts a chance for the comeback.
All nine starters in Lansing's lineup either scored a run or recorded an RBI. Perez went 4-for-6 with three singles and the game-winning double; Chris Hawkins recorded his third consecutive multi-hit game with two singles, an RBI, a run scored and a stolen base in five at-bats; Andy Burns supplied an RBI triple and two runs scored; and leadoff hitter Berti reached three times with a double and two RBI.
Dragons starter Jacob Johnson worked out of a fifth-inning, bases loaded jam to limit the Lugnuts to just one unearned run over five innings of work on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts.
Lansing starter Anthony DeSclafani got off to a rocky start surrendering eight hits and two runs over two plus innings but the righty settled down to retire the final six Dragons he faced. He finish with a line of four innings, eight hits, two runs, no walks and three strikeouts.
The Lugnuts' three-game series against the Dragons continues with a Labatt Blue Light Thirsty Thursday on May 24th, part of a seven-game homestand. Lefty David Rollins (3-1, 2.61) starts for Lansing in opposed by Dayton righty Jacob Johnson (0-0, 1.80). Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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