LANSING, Mich. - Aramis Ademan homered and tripled in the first two innings, helping the South Bend Cubs (26-28, 65-58) jump out early en route to a 5-3 win over the Lansing Lugnuts (21-33, 58-62) on Friday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
LANSING, Mich. - Aramis Ademan homered and tripled in the first two innings, helping the South Bend Cubs (26-28, 65-58) jump out early en route to a 5-3 win over the Lansing Lugnuts (21-33, 58-62) on Friday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
Ademan's first-pitch one-out home run gave the Cubs a quick 1-0 lead in the top of the first. One inning later, he followed RBI singles from Alberto Mineo and Luis Ayala with a hooking drive into the right field corner, capping a four-run rally and putting the Cubs up 5-0.
Lansing starter Osman Gutierrez (Loss, 4-11) combined with relievers Griffin Glaude and Denis Diaz to hold the Cubs scoreless from the third inning onward. Gutierrez fired six innings in all, striking out five, before Glaude handled the seventh and eighth and Diaz pitched the ninth.
The Lugnuts cracked the scoreboard in the third inning on a Yeltsin Gudino RBI fielder's choice and Joshua Palacios RBI infield single, the only runs managed against South Bend starter Manuel Rondon (Win, 12-6) in five innings.
In the eighth, Palacios dropped down a bunt single against reliever Yapson Gomez, who tossed two straight wild pitches to move him to third base. Nash Knight followed with a groundout, bringing in Palacios to shave the Cubs' lead to two runs.
With two outs in the ninth, Luis Silva kept the Lugnuts alive with a single to right field. Nick Sinay drew a walk, putting the tying runs on. But Gomez (Save, 1) coaxed an infield popup from Rodrigo Orozco , with second baseman Andruw Monasterio making a sliding catch to end the game.
Sinay finished the game 1-for-2 with two walks, while Palacios went 2-for-4 in the losing cause.
The Lugnuts solemnly swear that they are up to no good in the second game of the four-game series… Harry Potter Night at Cooley Law School Stadium! Drink butterbeer, cheer on the Michigan State Quidditch Team, and thrill to LAFCU Fireworks, with the first 1,000 fans receiving a Golden Snitch Baseball giveaway. Right-hander Mike Ellenbest (7-6, 6.37) starts against Cubs left-hander Jose Paulino (6-4, 4.60). Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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