Marcheco, Reinisch help Nuts to 6-1 victory over Captains

LANSING, Mich. – Jorge Marcheco pitched five one-run innings and Jake Reinisch hit a two-run homer in the fifth to help power the Lansing Lugnuts (15-22, 44-57) to a 6-1 victory over the Lake County Captains (17-19, 54-46) in a Wednesday afternoon showdown at JacksonⓇ Field™.

The Lugnuts are now on a three-game winning streak overall and a five-game streak at home, stretching back to the last homestand against the Great Lakes Loons.

After primarily coming out of the bullpen for Lansing earlier in the season, Marcheco has now started games in the last three series. After struggling last week against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers, surrendering five home runs, Marcheco rebounded on Wednesday by holding Lake County to a single run (a Kevin Rivas fielder’s choice in the second) on four hits and two walks.

Lansing took advantage of an early lack of control from Captains starter Keljo in the top of the first, scoring a run with a bases-loaded Daniel Bucciero walk.Dylan Fien added a second run in the inning with a two-out RBI single, and Logan Sauve plated Bucciero in the third with a sacrifice fly to left fielder Juan Benjamin for a 3-1 lead.

Reinisch followed with his two-run shot that hit the yellow padding on top of the right-field wall off reliever Jogly García in the fifth to give the Nuts a 5-1 advantage. The home run is Reinisch’s second of the season and second in as many series.

A bases-loaded walk of Bucciero by reliever Melkis Hernández in the eighth brought home Myles Naylor to give the Lugnuts a sixth run for insurance.

Riley Huge picked up from Marcheco with a runner on first and no outs in the top of the sixth and retired three straight to end the inning before pitching out of a jam in the seventh with runners on first and third with one out.

Darlin Pinales and Abel Mercedes teamed up to pitch a scoreless eighth and ninth to secure the win.

On offense, Jared Sprague-Lott led with a 2-for-4 performance, scoring one run and drawing a single walk, Bucciero took four walks, scoring two runs and recording two RBIs, and Reinisch finished 1-for-4 with a run scored, two RBIs and a walk.

Breyson Guedez recorded his first High-A hit, a single into right field in the first inning. The Captains also kept the left fielder busy on defense; the A’s No. 2 outfield prospect recorded nine putouts.

Tucker Novotny is set to make the start on Thursday, opposing Cleveland Guardians No. 26 prospect (MLB Pipeline) lefty Jackson Humphries. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. as Lansing takes the field as the Olive Burgers for a Coors Light Thirsty Thursday, accompanied by a stadium replica giveaway for the first 1,000 fans. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05. For tickets and more information, call (517) 485-4500 or visit www.milb.com/lansing.

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