Muncy hits first MWL HR in 8-6 loss

MIDLAND, Mich. – Max Muncy led off the game with a first-pitch home run, only to see Eddys Leonard answer with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first inning as the Great Lakes Loons (15-11, 55-37) topped the Lansing Lugnuts (11-15, 36-56), 8-6, on Wednesday night at Dow Diamond.

Neither team’s starter fared well in an early slugfest stabilized by excellent relief work.

Great Lakes right-hander Kendall Williams lasted just 2/3 of an inning, serving up Muncy’s first roundtripper in the Midwest League followed by back-to-back doubles to Tyler Soderstrom and Jack Winkler in a three-run frame.

But Lansing starter Christian Fernandez gave up four runs in the home first inning, sparked by Leonard’s home run to center field, followed by three runs in the second inning after the Nuts had tied the game at 4-4 on a Muncy double and a Soderstrom sacrifice fly.

That cushion proved enough, with the Great Lakes tacking on an insurance run against Joe DeMers in the fifth to offset a Jared McDonald two-run homer in the ninth inning as the Lugnuts’ last gasp.

The two teams have split the first two games of the six-game series.

Diego Granado followed Fernandez to the mound, holding Great Lakes hitless and scoreless through the third and fourth innings with three strikeouts. DeMers pitched the fifth and sixth, allowing a run on three singles while striking out three. Calvin Coker made his Nuts debut with a perfect seventh, whiffing two, and Daniel Martinez followed suit with two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 eighth.

Shortstop Muncy finished the game 3-for-5 with a single, double and home run, raising his batting average to .333 (7-for-21) in his first five games with the Nuts. Third baseman Winkler went 2-for-5 for the second straight game in the series, joining Muncy with a pair of runs scored.

Right-hander Joey Estes (4.91 ERA) takes on Loons right-hander Emmet Sheehan (3.38 ERA) in the third game of the six-game set at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.

Following the conclusion of the series on Sunday, the Lugnuts return home August 2-7 to welcome in the West Michigan Whitecaps. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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That cushion proved enough, with the Great Lakes tacking on an insurance run against *Joe DeMers *in the fifth to offset a *Jared McDonald *two-run homer in the ninth inning as the Lugnuts’ last gasp.

The two teams have split the first two games of the six-game series.

*Diego Granado *followed Fernandez to the mound, holding Great Lakes hitless and scoreless through the third and fourth innings with three strikeouts. DeMers pitched the fifth and sixth, allowing a run on three singles while striking out three. *Calvin Coker *made his Nuts debut with a perfect seventh, whiffing two, and *Daniel Martinez *followed suit with two strikeouts in a 1-2-3 eighth.

Shortstop Muncy finished the game 3-for-5 with a single, double and home run, raising his batting average to .333 (8-for-24) in his first five games with the Nuts. Third baseman Winkler went 2-for-5 for the second straight game in the series, joining Muncy with a pair of runs scored.

Right-hander *Joey Estes *(4.91 ERA) takes on Loons right-hander Emmet Sheehan (3.38 ERA) in the third game of the six-game set at 7:05 p.m. Thursday.

Following the conclusion of the series on Sunday, the Lugnuts return home August 2-7 to welcome in the West Michigan Whitecaps. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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