Nuts halt four-game losing streak in doubleheader split

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Lansing Lugnuts (8-12, 33-53) entered Saturday’s doubleheader at Parkview Field with a 3-12 record against the Fort Wayne TinCaps (9-11, 36-50) in 2022. After Saturday’s results, that record stood at 4-13.

The Lugnuts lost 4-3 to the TinCaps in Game 1 before ending a four-game losing streak in Fort Wayne with a 4-2 victory in Game 2 behind home runs from Jack Winkler and Gabriel Maciel.

In the opener, Tyler Soderstrom delivered a first-inning RBI double for an early 1-0 lead, then belted a fifth-inning two-run homer to tie the score at 3-3. It was Soderstrom’s 16th home run of the season and increased his RBI total to 61, second in the Midwest League.

But in the bottom of the fifth, Adam Kerner untied the score with an RBI single off Nuts starter Jack Owen. Owen tossed 4 2/3 innings in all, allowing four runs on four hits and two walks with five strikeouts, yielding to Diego Granado for the final four outs.

The game ended on a Gabriel Maciel groundout to second base with the tying run aboard and Soderstrom in the on-deck circle.

Soderstrom did not play in Game 2, with his teammates stepping up to fulfill his role in offensive production. Third baseman Winkler, batting third in the order, went 3-for-3 with two singles, a steal, and a first-inning solo home run to left off Fort Wayne starter Jackson Wolf – coincidentally, Winkler’s third homer of the year.

After the TinCaps tied the game on an Olivier Basabe RBI double in the second inning, center fielder Maciel, batting second, roped a home run into the left field bleachers with Drew Swift aboard in the third, breaking the tie and giving the Nuts the lead for good.

Matt Cross added a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning off Wolf, providing important insurance.

Lugnuts starter Blake Beers went 4 2/3 innings, striking out one while giving up one run on four hits and three walks. Kumar Nambiar relieved Beers in the fifth and escaped a bases-loaded jam before posting a perfect sixth inning.

The bottom of the seventh grew tense. Trayson Kubo struck out Max Ferguson, walked Corey Rosier, struck out Lucas Dunn, and then walked both Cole Cummings and Jarryd Dale to load the bases. Lugnuts manager Phil Pohl called in Shohei Tomioka, who walked Matthew Acosta on four pitches to force in a run.

With the tying runs in scoring position and the game-winning run at first base, Jack Stronach grounded to second baseman Alexander Campos for a game-ending fielder’s choice.

Nuts leadoff hitter Drew Swift went 3-for-4 with two steals and two runs scored in Game 1, then added a walk, a steal and a run scored in Game 2. Swift has swiped 17 bags in 18 attempts this season.

The final scheduled 2022 meeting between the Lugnuts and TinCaps is set for 1:05 p.m. Sunday, with Lansing right-hander Jake Walkinshaw (0.90 ERA) facing Fort Wayne southpaw Noel Vela (3.97 ERA). A four-game break follows for the Major League Baseball All-Star Break.

The next Nuts homestand runs from July 22-24 against the Lake County Captains. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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