Hot Start Propels Camels over Lugnuts

MIDLAND, Mich. – After the Lansing Lugnuts scored three runs in the top of the first inning Wednesday at Dow Diamond, they had scored nine unanswered runs against the Great Lakes Loons to begin a six-game set.

What did the Loons do? They answered.

Great Lakes, playing Wednesday as the Camels, scored four runs in the bottom of the first and three in the second, leading the rest of the way and defeating Lansing, 8-6.

Lansing (36-56, 11-15 second half) opened the scoring on the first pitch of the ballgame, which Max Muncy hammered over the left field wall for his first home run at the High-A level, and his 17th of the season overall, giving the Lugnuts a 1-0 lead. Back-to-back doubles from Tyler Soderstrom and Jack Winkler pushed another run across, and Winkler scored on an error, putting the visitors ahead 3-0 after half an inning.

The Camels (55-37, 15-11) rallied immediately. On the second pitch of the bottom of the first, Eddys Leonardmashed his ninth homer of the season, and his first at Dow Diamond this year. Great Lakes loaded the bases on a Jorbit Vivas single and a pair of walks before Jose Ramos hit a sacrifice fly to bring the Camels within a run. Imanol Vargas then pushed a two-run single into centerfield, and the Camels led, 4-3.

The Lugnuts, High-A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, tied the game at four in the top of the second, thanks to a Soderstrom sacrifice fly. That was the lone run allowed by Cole Duensing (W, 3-3), who tossed 1 1-3 innings in relief, ceding two hits but no walks.

Great Lakes, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ High-A partner, kept their offensive momentum moving. Edwin Mateo led off the second frame with his second longball of 2022, giving the Camels a 5-4 lead. Camels scored one more on a double play ball with the bases loaded, then with a Ramos single, and took a 7-4 advantage to the third inning. All that damage was done against Lansing starter Christian Fernandez (L, 0-1) in just his second Midwest League start.

At that point, Great Lakes turned things over to Robbie Peto, who was superb in his tandem starter role. Peto tossed three innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit. He walked three and struck out three while keeping the Lugnuts off the board.

The Camels added their final run in the fifth frame. Ramos and Vargas singled to lead off the frame, then Ramos scored on a base hit from Kekai Rios. The home side had an 8-4 lead after the fifth frame.

Great Lakes continued to find terrific relief work. Camels southpaw Jeff Belge tossed a scoreless sixth inning, striking out one while pitching around a hit and a walk. Ryan Sublette then tossed the seventh and eighth frames, allowing a pair of hits while punching out four. That completed a run of six straight scoreless innings for Great Lakes.

The ninth inning saw Lansing begin its comeback effort. Jack Winkler led off the frame with a single, then Jared McDonald hit his ninth home run of the season to bring the Lugnuts within a pair, trailing 8-6. After another hit, the Camels brought in southpaw Ben Harris (SV, 1) with a man on first and nobody out, the tying run at the plate. Harris mowed down the three batters he faced, picking up a pair of punchouts to secure the win for the Camels.

Great Lakes ties the series with the Lugnuts at one game apiece, and the season series between the two clubs is now split, seven games to seven. The six-game set continues at 7:05 p.m. Thursday at Dow Diamond, with pregame coverage on ESPN 100.9-FM starting at 6:50 p.m. with the Loons On-Deck Circle, driven by Garber Chevrolet Midland. The Loons have scheduled Emmet Sheehan (5-2, 3.38 ERA) to oppose fellow righty Joey Estes (2-4, 4.91 ERA) for Lansing.

Thursday marks Office Professionals Night at Dow Diamond. Kate Flannery (Meredith Palmer, NBC’s The Office) makes an appearance, signing autographs and taking photos with fans. It’s also Thirsty Thursday, presented by J.P. O’Sullivan Distributing – enjoy 50% off beer all night long, and take part in live trivia at the Cove Bar. After the game, the Loons light up the night with a Fireworks Loontacular, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan. Tickets are still available on Loons.com.

The Great Lakes Loons have been a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers since the team’s inception in 2007. Dow Diamond serves as the team’s home and also houses the Michigan Baseball Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public charity, and ESPN 100.9-FM. For tickets or information about the Loons, call 989-837-BALL or visit Loons.com.