Lugnuts' road trip woes continue in 8-6 loss

EASTLAKE, OH - The Lake County Captains (29-34, 69-64) defeated the Lansing Lugnuts (29-34, 65-68) for the third straight day, 8-6, in a Sunday matinee at Classic Park.

The Lugnuts fell to 1-6 during their eight-game Ohio road trip.

Ryan Metzler's first home run of the year gave the Lugs a 4-2 lead in the top of the fourth inning, but a barrage of doubles off Justin Maese turned the tide.

Li-Jen Chu's RBI two-bagger in the bottom of the fourth began the comeback, drawing the Caps within 4-3. Four batters later, Angel Miguel grounded a three-run double into the left-field corner for a 6-4 Lake County lead.

In the fifth, Chu and David Armendariz supplied back-to-back RBI doubles to build the lead to 8-4.

The Lugnuts threatened in the seventh, scoring a pair of runs on a Carl Wise RBI single and a Sam Haggerty fielding error at third. But Ryan Hissey grounded into a 4-6-3 double play, snuffing out further offense.

Lansing's offense stayed noisy, loading the bases in the eighth inning with two outs - but Erick Algarin struck out Lane Thomas to retire the side.

Connor Panas reached base on a hit-by-pitch in the ninth, only to be erased by a second Hissey double-play grounder to second, ending the game.

Maese (Loss, 1-4) struck out eight batters in six innings, allowing eight runs on nine hits including a two-run homer by Martin Cervenka.

Lake County reliever Argenis Angulo (Win, 2-0) fired three scoreless one-hit innings, working from the fourth through the sixth innings, to earn the victory.

Algarin picked up his second save of the series, recording the final four outs.

Lansing center fielder Joshua Palacios went 2-for-5 to extend his hitting streak to 16 games and his on-base streak to 29 games. He was equaled by first baseman Juan Kelly, whose fourth-inning single brought his own on-base streak up to 29 games in a row.

Second baseman Cavan Biggio and designated hitter Panas reached base four times apiece. Biggio scored a run, delivered an RBI single, drew two walks and was hit by a pitch. Panas scored a run, singled, doubled and was struck by a pair of pitches, extending his own on-base streak to 17 games.

2016 Toronto Blue Jays first-round draft pick T.J. Zeuch is expected to make his Lugnuts debut in the Monday series finale, taking on Captains right-hander Casey Shane (8-11, 4.55) at 7:00 p.m.

The Lugnuts return home to Cooley Law School Stadium for a three-game series against Bowling Green from August 31-September 2. For more information or to purchase your tickets, call 517-485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.

 

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