Selman HR thwarts shutout, but Dragons hold off Lugnuts, 3-2
DAYTON, Ohio – Shane Selman walked, singled, doubled and thumped a two-run ninth-inning homer, but the Lansing Lugnuts (49-56) lost 3-2 to the Dayton Dragons (55-50) on Thursday night at Day Air Ballpark. The Lugnuts drew eight walks and collected six hits but finished the game 0-for-10 with runners in
DAYTON, Ohio – Shane Selman walked, singled, doubled and thumped a two-run ninth-inning homer, but the Lansing Lugnuts (49-56) lost 3-2 to the Dayton Dragons (55-50) on Thursday night at Day Air Ballpark.
The Lugnuts drew eight walks and collected six hits but finished the game 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11 runners on base.
Still, a game that appeared to be heading toward a frustrating 3-0 defeat received a jolt with one out in the ninth inning when Dayton reliever Pedro García walked Patrick McColl and left fielder Selman followed with his 11th home run of the year, tying Jordan Díaz for the team lead in roundtrippers. The next batter was Drew Swift (2-for-4, single, double, walk), who delivered a double to left-center, putting the game-tying run in scoring position.
But García struck out Austin Beck and retired William Simoneit, the series opener’s hero with a last-ditch go-ahead grand slam, on a popout to second to end the game.
All of Dayton’s runs were knocked in by 2021 Cincinnati Reds first-rounder Matt McLain, who doubled home Quin Cotton off Nuts starter Kyle Virbitsky in the first inning and singled in Jacob Hurtubise and Michael Siani off Jack Owen in the fifth inning.
Virbitsky tossed a professional high 3 1/3 innings, allowing four hits, walking none and striking out three. Owen followed with four strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and one walk. Brandon Withers took it the final two frames with two strikeouts and just one hit allowed, a single by McLain.
The Lugnuts start right-hander Reid Birlingmair (4.60 ERA) on Friday night at 7:05 p.m., the fourth game of the six-game series. Dayton counters with right-hander Bryce Bonnin (13.50 ERA).
The series with Dayton will conclude Sunday, followed by a six-game series at Fort Wayne. Lansing returns home to end the season from September 14-19 against West Michigan. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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