SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Norberto Obeso lined a game-tying RBI double in the ninth to force extra innings, but Christian Donahue's RBI single in the 11th sent the South Bend Cubs (17-15, 50-51) past the Lansing Lugnuts (14-18, 57-45), 5-4, on Wednesday night at Four Winds Field.In the bottom of the
SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Norberto Obeso lined a game-tying RBI double in the ninth to force extra innings, but Christian Donahue's RBI single in the 11th sent the South Bend Cubs (17-15, 50-51) past the Lansing Lugnuts (14-18, 57-45), 5-4, on Wednesday night at Four Winds Field.
In the bottom of the 11th inning, Austin Filiere laid down a bunt single, moving former MSU Spartan Brandon Hughes to third base. After an intentional walk of Rafael Narea, Lugnuts reliever Andrew Deramo (Loss, 2-3) struck out both Clayton Daniel and Zach Davis. Donahue then sent a grounder up the middle that escaped the dive of second baseman Samad Taylor , scoring Hughes with the game-winning run.
Lugnuts starter Maximo Castillo had tossed six scoreless innings, scattering two singles and four walks, striking out three, and matching South Bend starter Erling Moreno.
The Nuts broke through against Moreno in the seventh, taking a 1-0 lead on an RBI single from Chavez Young . Obeso followed with a two-run single lined off the glove of second baseman Daniel for a 3-0 lead.
But reliever Emerson Jimenez walked three batters with one out in the eighth and Austin Upshaw hit a grand slam to push the Cubs in front, 4-3.
With the Lugnuts two outs away from defeat in the ninth, Obeso came through again. Facing lockdown closer Brian Glowicki (Blown Save, 2), he sliced a deep fly ball into the left field corner, beyond Zach Davis, to bring home Brandon Grudzielanek and tie the score at 4-4.
Brayden Bouchey pitched 2 2/3 hitless and scoreless innings to give the Lugnuts a chance to win, but the Nuts stranded the bases loaded in the 10th against Glowicki and in the 11th against debuting right-hander Luis Aquino (Win, 1-0).
In the losing cause, Grudzielanek, Young and Obeso each collected two hits. In the case of Young, he became the first Lugnut to reach the 100-hit plateau in 2018.
Right-hander Graham Spraker (3.05 ERA) starts the middle contest of the three-game series, taking on South Bend right-hander Javier Assad (3.40) at 7:05 p.m. at Four Winds Field.
The Nuts return home to Cooley Law School Stadium from August 1st-3rd, welcoming in these same South Bend Cubs for a brief homestand: Wednesday, August 1st, is a Winning Wednesday; Thursday, August 2nd, is a Labatt Thirsty Thursday - Young Professionals Night; and Friday, August 3rd, is a Family Faith Night with postgame LAFCU Fireworks. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
# # #
