Lugnuts rally in 9th to avoid sweep

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (30-24) scored three runs in the ninth inning, including a tie-breaking squeeze executed by Rodrigo Orozco , pulling out an 8-6 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps (38-18), on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The Lugnuts avoided losing all three games in the series against their archrival. They still not have been swept this season.

The Whitecaps entrusted a 6-5 lead entering the ninth to closer Jason Foley, who had allowed only four runs all year. Joshua Palacios opened the frame with an infield single, and Foley threw away Andres Sotillo 's sacrifice bunt to put runners at second and third.

A swinging-bunt single by Yeltsin Gudino brought in Palacios, tying the game at 6-6. That brought up Orozco in his Lugnuts debut, and the native Panamanian laid down a perfect bunt down the third-base line to bring in pinch-runner Nick Sinay for the 7-6 lead. Christian Williams capped the rally three batters later with a sacrifice fly.

Foley (Loss, 3-1) blew his first save of the year, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk in one inning.

Lugnuts reliever Nick Hartman (Win, 1-0) pitched the final two innings without allowing a base runner, striking out Jake Robson looking to end the game.

The game began wildly. Whitecaps starter Eudis Idrogo gave up five runs in just 2/3 of an inning before being pulled out of the game. Edward Olivares supplied the biggest blow with a three-run double.

In the bottom of the first, however, Lugnuts starter Denis Diaz faced all nine Whitecaps batters and allowed four runs before escaping.

Diaz settled down to hold the Whitecaps off the scoreboard through the end of the fifth inning, maintaining the 5-4 lead.

The Whitecaps struck back against Geno Encina , with Chad Sedio hitting a game-tying homer in the sixth and MSU product Cam Gibson knocking a solo homer in the seventh, giving the hometown team its first lead of the game - a lead that would not last.

Lansing piled up 12 hits in the game, with two apiece from Yeltsin Gudino, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., NashKnight and Joshua Palacios.

Following an off day on Monday, The Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium for a three-game homestand spanning June 6-8, beginning with a 7:05 p.m. Dollar Deal Day on Tuesday: $1 hot dogs, $1 ice cream sandwiches and $1 fountain drinks. Tickets may be purchased at the stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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