Díaz homers in 13-1 loss at Fort Wayne

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Third baseman Jordan Díaz launched a 409-foot home run to left in the Lansing Lugnuts’ (6-7) series-opening 13-1 loss at the Fort Wayne TinCaps (5-7) on Tuesday night at Parkview Field.

Díaz’s second-inning leadoff homer gave the Lugnuts a 1-0 lead – but a record-tying performance by Fort Wayne right fielder Agustin Ruiz soon overshadowed him. Ruiz tied a TinCaps franchise single-game record with eight runs batted in, delivering a third-inning three-run homer, a fourth-inning grand slam, and a fifth-inning bad-hop RBI single to help the ‘Caps run away with the game.

Eight of the first nine Fort Wayne runs were unearned due to a third-inning Díaz throwing error and a fourth-inning fielding error by shortstop Elvis Peralta, Jr.

Lansing starter Rafael Kelly allowed five runs, one earned, on two hits and four walks in 3 1/3 innings, striking out two. Brandon Withers made his Lugnuts debut in relief in the fourth inning, recording one out and allowing Ruiz’s grand slam. Bryce Nightengale tossed the next 2 1/3 innings, striking out three and giving up one run on four hits and two walks. Michael Danielak gave up three runs in the seventh inning on four hits and a walk before Dalton Sawyer pitched a scoreless eighth inning, allowing a hit and a walk with one strikeout.

The Lugnuts’ offense was held to four hits, with singles from Jared McDonald, Lester Madden, Jr. and Elvis Peralta, Jr. joining Díaz’s home run.

Left-hander Brady Basso (1.29 ERA) gets the ball on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m., taking on Fort Wayne right-hander Edgar Martinez (5.68) at 7:05 p.m.

The next Nuts homestand will run from Tuesday, May 25, through Sunday, May 30, against the Great Lakes Loons. To purchase tickets, please visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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