Lugnuts rally for 3-2 win, series split

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – The Lansing Lugnuts (22-35) erased a two-run deficit with an eighth-inning rally before beating the West Michigan Whitecaps (26-31) on a Lazaro Armenteros RBI infield single in the ninth, 3-2, on Sunday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark.

The victory clinched a six-game series split for the Nuts, who have halved their 18 meetings with the archrival Whitecaps this season.

Consecutive RBI singles from West Michigan’s Cooper Johnson and Carlos Irigoyen off Shohei Tomioka in the fourth inning had supplied the game’s only scoring through seven innings.

But Euribiel Ángeles opened the top of the eighth with a bunt single off Whitecaps reliever Bryce Tassin and Matt Cross followed with a line drive single into left-center. West Michigan turned to left-hander Gabe Sequeira, who allowed a single to Sahid Valenzuela that brought in Ángeles and sent Cross to third, bringing the Nuts within 2-1, though Valenzuela was thrown out at second base. Jonny Butler then sent a foul fly into the Nuts’ bullpen down the left side where left fielder Bryant Packard made a stunning sliding catch in an eruption of dust. Cross easily tagged and scored, tying the game at 2-2.

An inning later, West Michigan fireballer Elvis Alvarado struck out Drew Swift and Tyler Soderstrom, but gave up a roaring triple to right-center to Lawrence Butler. The next batter was Armenteros, who chopped weakly toward short. Trei Cruz charged and gloved, but dropped the ball on the transfer as Butler dashed across the plate with the tie-breaking run.

Angello Infante worked a 1-2-3 ninth, ensuring there would be no answering comeback.

Joey Estes started the game for the Lugnuts in his first appearance since May 21, tossing two scoreless innings. Tomioka followed with 3 1/3 innings before Brock Whittlesey pitched 1 2/3 scoreless and Kumar Nambiar handled a perfect eighth, leading into Infante.

Lawrence Butler finished the series with 10 hits in 23 at-bats, raising his batting average from .218 to .245.

The Nuts now return home, opening a 12-game, 13-day stretch against Fort Wayne and Beloit on Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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