Nuts go extras for 5th straight win
DAYTON, OH – For the first time in three years, the Lansing Lugnuts (19-23, 44-64) are riding a five-game winning streak, thanks to a 7-5 10-inning victory over the Dayton Dragons (12-28, 51-56) on Sunday afternoon at Day Air Ballpark. Joshwan Wright, Denzel Clarke and Sahid Valenzuela delivered RBI doubles
DAYTON, OH – For the first time in three years, the Lansing Lugnuts (19-23, 44-64) are riding a five-game winning streak, thanks to a 7-5 10-inning victory over the Dayton Dragons (12-28, 51-56) on Sunday afternoon at Day Air Ballpark.
Joshwan Wright, Denzel Clarke and Sahid Valenzuela delivered RBI doubles in a three-run top of the tenth inning against Dayton reliever Jake Gilbert, breaking a 4-4 tie in front of a crowd of 7,774.
Add up RBI doubles by @JWright039 + @DC5_Denzy + @Sahidv04 in the 10th inning, and what do you get?
— Lansing Lugnuts (@LansingLugnuts) August 14, 2022
A 5th straight victory! pic.twitter.com/mydtMJLI1n
In the bottom of the tenth, Jose Torres lined a first-pitch RBI single off Lugnuts right-hander Calvin Coker to pull the Dragons immediately within two and bring the tying run to the plate. After retiring Brian Rey and pinch-hitter Noelvi Marte, Coker allowed a single to Austin Hendrick and walked Justice Thompson to load the bases. But Tyler Callihan flied out to center field, giving the Nuts their fifth straight win for the first time since August 9-14, 2019.
The Nuts had grabbed an early 2-0 lead thanks to a first-inning Shane McGuire sacrifice fly and a second-inning Valenzuela run-scoring double-play ball.
But the Dragons struck back against Lansing starter Jack Owen. In the second inning, a two-out fielding error by first baseman McGuire brought in Callihan with Dayton’s first run. In the fourth inning, Steven Leyton hit a two-run homer to give the Dragons a 3-2 lead. And in the fifth inning, Garrett Wolforth belted a solo home run for a 4-2 lead.
Left fielder Patrick McColl, who had crushed a three-run tenth-inning homer in the first game of the winning streak on Wednesday and had knocked a tie-breaking seventh-inning RBI triple in the fourth game of the winning streak on Saturday, once again led the comeback effort.
In the sixth inning, McColl scored McGuire from third with an RBI groundout, bringing the Nuts within 4-3.
In the eighth inning, Lazaro Armenteros singled with two outs and stole second base. McColl followed with a single to left field, tying the score at 4-4.
The Lugnuts’ bullpen crew took it from there. Brock Whittlesey and Kumar Nambiar combined for 2 1/3 scoreless innings in relief of Owen to bridge the game to Coker, who recorded the final six outs.
Lugnuts starter Owen tossed 5 2/3 innings in a no-decision, allowing four runs on seven hits, walking none and striking out two.
Armenteros and McColl led the offense, each finishing 2-for-4 with a walk. Armenteros stole two bases, leading to two runs scored. Leadoff hitter Max Muncy went 1-for-5 with a double and two runs scored as well.
After a day off Monday, the Lugnuts welcome in the Great Lakes Loons from August 16-21, opening a six-game homestand. The Nuts go for a sixth consecutive win on Tuesday, August 16, a Tacos and Tallboys Night featuring $4 tacos and $4 cervezas. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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