TinCaps pull away from Nuts late, 10-3

LANSING, Mich. – The Fort Wayne TinCaps (6-4) scored six runs in the final two innings for a series-opening 10-3 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (3-7) on Tuesday night at Jackson® Field™.

Brandon Valenzuela hit a first-inning two-run inside-the-park home run for the TinCaps, who never trailed, but were pressed throughout.

An Austin Beck sacrifice fly in the fourth inning drew the Nuts within 2-1. Two innings later, Brett Harris lined an RBI single amid a two-run rally to shave a 4-1 TinCaps lead to 4-3.

TinCaps right fielder Joshua Mears added to a two-double night with a long home run to left in the eighth off Lugnuts lefty James Gonzalez for a 5-3 Fort Wayne lead.

After reliever Ryan Och escaped a threat in the bottom of the eighth by striking out Tyler Soderstrom and retiring pinch-hitter Jonny Butler on a flyout to center, the ‘Caps blew the game open with five runs in the ninth inning against Gonzalez, keyed by a Valenzuela two-run single.

Lansing starter David Leal gave up two runs on three hits in four innings, striking out two, and Joe DeMers allowed two runs on three hits over the next three innings with four strikeouts. Gonzalez was charged with six runs on six hits in the final two innings.

In defeat, Lansing right fielder Lawrence Butler drew three walks and scored two runs and shortstop Euribiel Ángeles went 2-for-4 with two singles and a run scored.

The second game of the six-game set is on a Dog Days of Summer, with gates opening at 5 p.m. for the 6:05 Wednesday first pitch. Lugnuts right-hander Joey Estes (6.23 ERA) takes on Fort Wayne southpaw Robert Gasser (2.95 ERA) in the starting matchup. Tickets are available for purchase at the stadium box office, at lansinglugnuts.com and by calling (517) 485-4500.

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