Lugs drop Dragons, now one game back

DAYTON, Ohio - Jason Leblebijian knocked four hits as the Lansing Lugnuts (29-37, 61-74) picked up a 9-3 win over the Dayton Dragons (30-36, 66-68) on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field, pulling within one game of Dayton and Fort Wayne for the final postseason spot in the Eastern Division.

Four games remain in the Midwest League regular season. 

One night after hitting a game-winning home run in the ninth inning, Leblebijian put the Lugnuts ahead in the second inning with an RBI double.

The second baseman finished the night 4-for-5 with two doubles and two RBIs while scoring a run. 

The Dragons tied the game in the bottom half of the inning, but the Lugnuts charged back thanks to a pair of Dayton errors in the third. On a sacrifice bunt by right fielder Derrick Loveless, Dayton starter Amir Garrett (Loss, 7-8) sailed a throw into right field, allowing two Lansing runners to score for a 3-1 lead.

The Lugnuts opened the lead to 5-1 with back-to-back sacrifice flies from Daniel Klein and Justin Atkinson in the fourth.

Lansing starter Brent Powers (Win, 5-6) allowed three runs (two earned) on five hits in his five innings, making his final scheduled start of the regular season. 

Making his Midwest League debut, Lugs reliever Chase Wellbrock (Hold, 1) worked three scoreless innings with three strikeouts. 

Lansing stretched the lead to 6-3 in the eighth on an RBI single by Leblebijian, and added three more insurance runs in the ninth inning with RBIs by David Harris and Rowdy Tellez. 

The Lugnuts look to sweep the Dragons on Friday night in the finale of the three-game set. Lansing right-hander Brad Allen (6-5, 3.57) goes to the mound, countered by Dayton righty Sal Romano (9-10, 4.01).

Three games remain in the Lugnuts' regular season home schedule! Tickets are available for purchase via the stadium box office, telephone at 517-485-4500 and online at lansinglugnuts.com. To sign up for Lugnuts Alerts, text LUGNUTS to 80373.

 

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