Ángeles grand slam helps Locos hold off Cubs, 8-7

LANSING, Mich. – Euribiel Ángeles hooked a grand slam down the left field line and the Lansing Locos (12-15) staved off a comeback effort from the South Bend Cubs (10-17) for an 8-5 victory on Sunday afternoon at Jackson® Field™.

Lansing scored in only two innings, tallying four in the third on Ángeles’ third home run of the year and adding four in the fourth inning on a Jonny Butler RBI fielder’s choice, Will Simpson RBI single and Brayan Buelvas two-run double.

Then the Locos hung on tight.

South Bend closed an 8-3 deficit to 8-5 on a Casey Opitz RBI single and Reivaj Garcia double-play ball in the seventh off Luis Carrasco.

Rafael Morel and Opitz opened the ninth inning with walks drawn from Hunter Breault, prompting a call to the bullpen for Colton Johnson. Garcia welcomed the southpaw with an RBI double down the right field line, putting the tying runs in scoring position with none out. Brett Bateman grounded out to second, bringing in Opitz to trim the lead to one run while advancing Garcia to third. But Johnson struck out Pedro Ramirez and retired Jefferson Rojas on a lineout to center, preserving the win and notching his second save.

The 20-year-old Ramirez entered the game 13-for-22 in the series, but finished 0-for-5.

Lansing starter Luis Morales tossed 2 1/3 innings with two strikeouts in a no-decision, balking in a run in the first inning.

Bolte drew three walks while Ángeles, Colby Halter, Cameron Masterman (on his 25th birthday) and Danny Bautista, Jr. each collected two hits in the win.

After a day off on Monday, the Lugnuts travel to Great Lakes for a six-game series at the Loons opening Tuesday. Lansing returns home for a six-game series with Lake County from May 14-19. 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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