Schulz's bat, arm help TinCaps edge Lugs

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - Right fielder Nick Schulz homered twice and made the biggest defensive play of the night to help lead the Fort Wayne TinCaps (20-24, 50-62) to a 4-3 win over the Lansing Lugnuts (19-24, 51-61) on Monday night at Parkview Field.

The Lugnuts dropped the opener of the three-game series, and have now lost six of their last seven games.

Shulz broke a 3-3 tie in the bottom of the seventh inning with a solo home run off of Lansing reliever Francisco Gracesqui (Loss, 1-2).

In the top of the eighth with one out, Lansing left fielder David Harris flied out to Shulz in right, who threw out D.J. Davis at home as he tried to tag up and score from third, ending the inning.

Fort Wayne closer Nick Mutz (Save, 9) stranded the potential tying run in the ninth to finish the TinCaps win.

Justin Livengood (Win, 7-1) worked three scoreless innings, allowing two hits and two walks with two strikeouts.

Lansing took a 1-0 lead in the third when Dickie Joe Thon scored on an error against shortstop Trea Turner, but Shulz hit his first home run of the night to tie the game.

The Lugnuts took the lead with an RBI triple by Harris in the fourth, and he scored on an RBI by right fielder Derrick Loveless to put Lansing ahead 3-1.

Fort Wayne third baseman Dustin Peterson hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fourth to bring the TinCaps within one, and an RBI single by designated hitter Fernando Perez tied the game in the sixth.

Lansing shortstop Jason Leblebijian finished the night 1-for-2, working two walks, stealing a base, and scoring a run.

The Lugnuts and TinCaps play the second of the three-game series on Tuesday night at Parkview Field. Right-hander Miguel Castro will make his Lansing debut, with lefty Jeffery Enloe (3-3, 2.78) on the mound for Fort Wayne.

The Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium on a Labatt Thirsty Thursday, August 7th, featuring $2 beers, $2 sodas and craft beer specials. Tickets are available for purchase via the stadium box office, telephone at 517-485-4500 and online at lansinglugnuts.com. To sign up for Lugnuts Alerts, text LUGNUTS to 80373.

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