Buelvas delivers walk-off triple for dramatic 4-3 win
LANSING, Mich. – With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Brayan Buelvas tripled in Henry Bolte and Will Simpson, sending the Lansing Locos (23-23) to a scintillating 4-3 victory over the Peoria Chiefs (15-31) on Tuesday night at Jackson® Field™. It was the second straight walkoff win for
LANSING, Mich. – With two outs in the bottom of the ninth, Brayan Buelvas tripled in Henry Bolte and Will Simpson, sending the Lansing Locos (23-23) to a scintillating 4-3 victory over the Peoria Chiefs (15-31) on Tuesday night at Jackson® Field™.
It was the second straight walkoff win for Lansing playing as its Copa de la Diversión turquoise-and-marigold identity, following a Cameron Masterman three-run homer in the bottom of the ninth to beat Lake County on May 14.
Peoria had taken a 3-2 lead in the top of the ninth on a Darlyn Moquete triple and Alex Iadisernia RBI single off Colton Johnson, handing the lead to Tyler Bradt for the final three outs.
But after Bradt retired Jonny Butler on a groundout, Bolte roped a single to center field and moved to second on an Euribiel Ángeles groundout. Bradt walked Simpson on four pitches to bring up Buelvas. On a 2-1 pitch, the Lansing center fielder drilled a line drive into the right field corner. Peoria was unable to relay the ball in time to the plate as Simpson dove head first across and lay there triumphantly, precipitating a Gatorade-dumping celebration on Buelvas down the third-base line.
The opener of the six-game series was tight throughout. Lansing took a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an Ángeles sacrifice fly, scoring Bolte. Zach Levenson’s RBI single in the fifth tied the game at 1-1. Butler’s fourth home run of the season, leading off the bottom of the fifth, put the Locos up 2-1. An Iadisernia sac fly in the seventh retied the score.
And the stage was set for the ninth-inning drama.
Lansing starter Mitch Myers struck out four batters in five innings in a no-decision, allowing one run on four hits and two walks. Peoria right-hander Hancel Rincon answered with 5 2/3 innings, whiffing six while allowing two runs on six hits and four walks.
Lansing catcher CJ Rodriguez drew three of the Locos’ eight total walks, while Danny Bautista, Jr., Buelvas and Bolte each finished with two hits.
The second game of the series is an 11:05 a.m. Grand Slam School Day on a Dog Days of Summer. Gates open at 10 a.m. For tickets and further information, visit milb.com/lansing or call (517) 485-4500.
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