TinCaps collect 19 hits, top Nuts 10-6

LANSING, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps (21-37, 49-75) tallied a quick six – failing to convert on the extra point – and bested the Lansing Lugnuts (26-32, 58-65), 10-2, on Friday night at Jackson® Field™.

Kai Murphy, Devin Ortiz and Tyler Robertson each collected four of Fort Wayne’s season high 19 hits, helping the ‘Caps score two in the first inning and four in the second inning against Lugnuts starter Mitch Myers before adding insurance with one in the eighth and three in the ninth off Jack Owen.

Through eight innings, the Nuts managed only a Cole Conn fourth-inning RBI single and a Jared Dickey seventh-inning RBI fielder’s choice.

But in the bottom of the ninth, Nate Nankil tattooed a two-run double to left-center off reliever Fernando Sanchez to bring Lansing within 10-4. Two batters later, Josh Kuroda-Grauer lined a two-run single off Joan Gonzalez, carving the deficit to four.

Gonzalez bore down and retired Conn on a flyout and Danny Bautista, Jr., on a strikeout to end the game.

In defeat, Lansing center fielder Ryan Lasko went 2-for-4 with a walk and a stellar leaping catch at the wall on a Rosman Verdugo fly ball in the fourth.

Two home games remain in the 2024 Lugnuts season. Next up: Fan Appreciation Night, with postgame LAFCU Fireworks! Right-hander Luis Morales starts against Fort Wayne right-hander José Reyes; gates open at 6 p.m. for a 7:05 p.m. first pitch. For tickets and further information, visit milb.com/lansing or call (517) 485-4500.

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