Nuts score 4 in 1st inning, fall 12-4

Eastlake, OH – The Lake County Captains (6-7) scored 12 unanswered runs between the second and fourth innings to rout the Lansing Lugnuts (6-8), 12-4, on Saturday night at Classic Auto Group Park.

The Lugnuts are 6-2 during weekdays, but fell to 0-6 in weekend contests.

The game began auspiciously for Lansing, knocking out Lake County starter Carter Spivey with four runs in the top of the first inning. Colby Halter and Brayan Buelvas drew back-to-back walks and though Halter was nabbed at third on a double steal attempt, Will Simpson singled in Buelvas for a 1-0 lead. Henry Bolte followed with a single, Jonny Butler walked to load the bases, and Euribiel Ángeles delivered a three-run double for a 4-0 lead.

But the Captains answered with a five-run second inning, keyed by a Nate Furman two-run single, to end Eduardo Rivera’s night after only 1 1/3 innings.

An inning later, Jake Fox capped a four-run rally with a three-run homer off Jack Owen to increase the Captains’ lead to 9-4.

And in the fourth, Cooper Ingle and Maick Collado greeted new reliever Dylan Hall with consecutive homers. Four batters later, Tyresse Turner capped the scoring with an RBI single.

Hall fired a scoreless fifth and Blaze Pontes tossed three scoreless innings, scattering three hits, to quiet the Caps’ offense for the remainder of the night.

The Lugnuts were led offensively by Butler, who finished 2-for-3 with two singles and a walk, and Halter, who went 1-for-3 with a double and two walks. The Nuts drew seven total walks in defeat.

The Nuts can still clinch a series victory with a win in the 1 p.m. Sunday finale, sending right-hander Jake Garland against Lake County right-hander Trenton Denholm.

Following the series conclusion, the Lugnuts return home for a 12-game, 13-day homestand beginning Tuesday, April 23. Tickets are available for purchase at the Jackson® Field™ box office, available for purchase at (517) 485-4500 or online at milb.com/lansing.

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