TinCaps turn tables on Lugnuts, 4-3

LANSING, Mich. - Lansing Lugnuts catcher Andres Sotillo broke a 2-2 tie with a seventh-inning home run - only to see the Fort Wayne TinCaps score two runs in the ninth inning to defeat the Lugnuts, 4-3, on Sunday afternoon at Cooley Law School Stadium.

The turnaround came on the heels of the Lugnuts' own ninth-inning comeback, rallying from down 10-5 in the ninth on Saturday for a 12-11 10-inning victory.

The Lugnuts' record fell to 32-18, best in the Eastern Division, while the sixth-place TinCaps improved to 22-27.

Fort Wayne first baseman Jalen Washington led off the ninth against reliever Claudio Custodio (Blown Save, 2; Loss, 0-1) with a double down the right-field line. Robbie Podorsky followed by dropping down a bunt. First baseman Ryan Noda charged in and gloved it, but his throw went awry down the first-base line, allowing Washington to score the tying run. Jeisson Rosario sacrificed Podorsky to third base. One out later, Custodio was called for a balk, bringing in Podorsky with the deciding run.

Before the ninth-inning rally, it appeared that Sotillo would be the game's unexpected hero. The 24-year-old catcher had struck one home run in 2012, two in 2015, one in 2016, one in 2017 - and his first home run in 2018 was launched over the 20-foot wall in left-center off reliever Caleb Boushley with one out in the seventh.

That was the only base hit allowed by Boushley (Win, 3-1), who pitched the seventh and the eighth innings a day after being charged with the blown save and the loss in the Lugnuts' wild Saturday night win.

Travis Radke (Save, 6) pitched around a Sotillo two-out single in the ninth inning to secure the win for Fort Wayne.

Sotillo and Brandon Grudzielanek finished 2-for-4 to lead the Lugnuts' offense in the loss.

Lansing starter Turner Larkins pitched 3 2/3 innings in a no-decision, striking out five while allowing two runs on five hits and four walks. He was followed to the mound by Brody Rodning , who gave the Lugnuts 3 1/3 superb shutout innings, striking out three and allowing only one base runner.

The finale of the four-game series will be held on Memorial Day Monday at 1:05 p.m., a Dog Days of Summer! Lefty Matthew Gunter makes his Lugnuts debut against 18-year-old TinCaps right-hander Luis Patiño (8.64 ERA). To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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