Single-happy TinCaps hold off Lugnuts, 7-6
August 28, 2012 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (32-30, 80-52) mounted a late charge, but could not overcome the Fort Wayne TinCaps (35-29, 66-68) in a 7-6 loss on Tuesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
Trailing 7-5 entering the bottom of the ninth, Lugnuts centerfielder Nick Baligod (2-for-4, BB) smashed a solo home run to cut the deficit to one. Jason Leblebijian (1-for-5) and Chris Hawkins (3-for-5, R, 2B) each followed with singles against TinCaps closer Matt Stites (Save, 13), but the right-hander settled down to retire K.C. Hobson, Kevin Patterson and Andy Fermin to preserve the slim victory.
Luis De La Cruz (Win, 5-5) tossed two scoreless innings out of the TinCaps bullpen, striking out a pair and walking one.
The TinCaps offense pounded out a season-high 18 hits - remarkably, all singles - in coming back from an early 5-1 deficit with four runs in the fifth and two more in the sixth against starter Anthony DeSclafani and reliever Blake McFarland (Loss, 5-6).
DeSclafani lasted 4 1/3 innings, giving up nine hits, though he had allowed only one run when he departed with the bases loaded in the fifth. The entering McFarland promptly surrendered run-scoring base hits to Yeison Asencio, Travis Whitmore and Austin Hedges, tying the game at 5-5. allowed all three inherited runners to score.
In all, McFarland went 2 2/3 innings, gave up six hits and three additional runs.
Eight of the nine hitters in the TinCaps lineup recorded at least one hit. Travis Whitmore and Kyle Gaedele each finished the game 3-for-4, while leadoff hitter Travis Jankowski went 4-for-5 with two runs scored.
The Lugnuts split the four-game set with Fort Wayne and now hold a 2.5 game lead over Bowling Green for the best record in the Midwest League. The best overall record receives home field advantage in the first two rounds of the playoffs.
The Lugs next open a three-game series against the South Bend Silver Hawks on Wednesday, August 29th at 7:05 p.m. Kramer Champlin (4-1, 4.10) will start for Lansing. South Bend will have Conrad Flynn (0-0, 5.93) on the mound.
Lansing's next home game is on Saturday, September 1st, opening a three-game series against Lake County with postgame LAFCU Fireworks. Tickets are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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