Bautista, Jr. HR launches Nuts to 5-4 win

By Jesse Goldberg-Strassler

June 9, 2023

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Danny Bautista, Jr.’s first home run of the season broke a tie with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting the Lansing Lugnuts (25-30) to a 5-4 win over the South Bend Cubs (28-27) on Friday night at Four Winds Field. The Nuts and Cubs have

SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Danny Bautista, Jr.’s first home run of the season broke a tie with two outs in the eighth inning, lifting the Lansing Lugnuts (25-30) to a 5-4 win over the South Bend Cubs (28-27) on Friday night at Four Winds Field.

The Nuts and Cubs have split the first four games in their six-game series.
South Bend reliever Chase Watkins opened the eighth with strikeouts of Brayan Buelvas and Jack Winkler, but Bautista, Jr. followed by crushing a 2-1 pitch over the left field bleacher seats to give the Lugnuts the lead for good.

Lansing closer Tyler Baum secured the victory with a four-out save, striking out Kevin Made to end the eighth inning and then inducing a double-play ball from Bryce Ball turned beautifully by shortstop Max Muncy, second baseman Sahid Valenzuela and first baseman Bautista, Jr. to end the game. It was the fourth double play for the Lugnuts’ defense, helping to bail out nine walks issued between starter Jacob Watters and reliever Christian Fernandez.

Brayan Buelvas belted a two-run double and Bautista, Jr. followed with an RBI single in the fourth inning to help the Lugnuts take a 3-1 lead, and Daniel Susac followed an inning later with an RBI double for a 4-2 lead off South Bend starter Richard Gallardo.

But Yohendrick Piñango tied the score at 4-4 with a two-out, two-run single in the seventh inning off reliever Jack Owen, setting the stage for Bautista, Jr.’s big swing.

Lugnuts starter Watters struck out seven batters in five innings, allowing two runs on four hits and five walks in a no-decision.

The Nuts’ offense finished the game with 11 hits, thanks to two hits apiece from Bautista, Jr., Muncy, Susac and Junior Pérez.

On Saturday night at 7:05 p.m., the Lugnuts send right-hander Jack Perkins to the mound in the penultimate game of the six-game series, opposed by Cubs right-hander Manuel Espinoza.

After the series wraps on Sunday, the Nuts return home to take on the Peoria Chiefs from June 13-June 18. Tickets are available via lansinglugnuts.com or by calling (517) 485-4500.

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