Allen dominates TinCaps for first Lugnuts win

LANSING, Mich. - The Lansing Lugnuts (23-29, 55-66) held the Fort Wayne TinCaps (23-29, 53-69) to two hits en route to a 6-1 win on Thursday night at Cooley Law School Stadium. 

With the win, the Lugnuts took the rubber match of the three-game series in the final contest against the TinCaps this season, while moving within 2.5 games of the final playoff spot in the Midwest League Eastern Division.

Lansing starting pitcher Brad Allen (Win, 4-5) tied a season high with nine strikeouts in his five innings, allowing one unearned run on two hits with two walks and picking up his first win as a member of the Lansing Lugnuts.

After falling behind in the first, the Lugnuts tied the game in the second on an RBI single by first baseman Justin Atkinson against Fort Wayne starter Cody Hebner (Loss, 1-3).

The score remained knotted until right fielder Derrick Loveless knocked a two-run double in the bottom of the fifth. The Iowa native also had a triple in his two-hit night. 

Lansing lefty Matt Dermody (Hold, 1) pitched 2.2 scoreless, hitless innings with three strikeouts, but walks a pair of TinCaps on base in the eighth. After a pitch from reliever Roberto Espinosa (Save, 1) sailed by catcher Chris Schaeffer, Fort Wayne second baseman Josh VanMeter was thrown out trying to score from third to end the inning. 

The Lugnuts opened the lead in the sixth inning with a two-run single for second baseman Jason Leblebijian. 

Atkinson added insurance in the eighth inning, leading off the frame with a triple and scoring on a wild pitch by reliever Jorge Guzman.

The Lugnuts head to South Bend to open a three-game series on Friday night at Four Winds Field. Right-hander Miguel Castro (0-1, 6.23) will start on the mound for the Lugnuts, with Blake Perry (7-4, 4.30) pitching for the Silver Hawks.

The Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium on a Labatt Thirsty Thursday, August 21st, with $2 beers, $2 sodas, craft beer specials and a postgame concert featuring Starfarm. Gametime against the South Bend Silver Hawks is 7:05 p.m.

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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