Olivares walks off Captains, 7-6

LANSING, Mich. - Edward Olivares lined a tie-breaking, bases-loaded single to right field in the bottom of the ninth, sending the Lansing Lugnuts (20-28, 57-57) to a 7-6 victory over the Lake County Captains (21-27, 48-69) before a Saturday night crowd of 7,130 at Cooley Law School Stadium.

It was the fifth walk-off win of the Lugnuts season, their second over the Captains.

Rodrigo Orozco led off the ninth inning with a double off reliever Alsis Herrera (Loss, 4-2). Following a Joshua Palacios flyout, Nash Knight was intentionally walked and Mitch Nay was hit by a 1-2 pitch to load the bases. That brought up Olivares, who patiently worked the count to 3-and-1 before pushing a single through the right side, bringing in Orozco for the win.

Lake County starter Sean Brady had tossed five impressive one-hit innings, and Lake County scored a run in the fourth and two unearned runs in the fifth against Patrick Murphy for a 3-0 lead.

But the Nuts awakened once Brady exited, scoring three runs in both the sixth and seventh innings against Micah Miniard for a 6-5 lead.

Junior Soto's home run in the eighth off reliever Geno Encina tied the game at 6-6, setting the stage for the ninth.

Murphy pitched six innings-plus in a no-decision, striking out five and allowing five runs (three earned) on seven hits and three walks. Encina (Win, 4-2) handled the final nine outs, adding five more strikeouts. The ten combined strikeouts served to raise $53,000 for Stand Up To Cancer from Fifth Third Bank.

Knight stood out among the Lugnuts' offensive performers, going 3-for-4 with an intentional walk, a single, two doubles, a run scored and two runs batted in.

A Lugnuts win in the Sunday matinee finale, scheduled for 2:05 p.m., would clinch a split of the four-game set. It's a Delta Dental Kids Day celebrating Princesses at Cooley Law School Stadium, featuring Play Catch on the Field before the game and Kids Run the Bases after the game. Lansing right-hander Osman Gutierrez (4-9, 8.05) starts opposite Lake County lefty Zach Plesac (0-0, 2.25) at 7:05 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
# # #