Pineda triple lifts Nuts in 10-inning finale

APPLETON, Wisc. – Pedro Pineda capped a four-run 10th inning with a three-run triple, and the Lansing Lugnuts (13-22, 42-57) held off the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (19-16, 53-44), 5-4, in a thrilling Sunday series finale at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium.

The Lugnuts won two of six games in the series, the only meetings of the year between the A’s and Brewers’ High-A affiliates.

Facing Quinton Low with one out in the 10th inning, Ali Camarillo singled in Rodney Green, Jr. to break a 1-1 tie. Low struck out Jake Reinisch but allowed a single to Daniel Bucciero and walked Dylan Fien to load the bases for Pineda, who sent a sinking liner through diving center fielder Braylon Payne to clean the bases for a 5-1 lead.

In the bottom of the 10th, Jose Dicochea hit Daniel Dickinson and walked Eric Bitonti to load the bases with none out. A Logan Sauve passed ball brought the T-Rats within 5-2, and a Luis Castillo two-run double trimmed the Lansing lead to 5-4. After a walk to Tayden Hall, Dicochea struck out Tyler Rodriguez for the first out.

Lansing manager Javier Godard brought in lefty Griffin Kirn to face Luiyin Alastre. Alastre lined to second baseman Gunner Gouldsmith, who flipped the ball to shortstop Camarillo to double off Castillo for a stunning game-ending double play.

Until the 10th inning, the game’s only runs had been scored early: a Camarillo RBI groundout in the first inning for Lansing, and a Hall RBI triple in the second inning for Wisconsin.

Lugnuts right-hander Samuel Dutton tossed 6 2/3 strong innings in a no-decision, one out shy of tying a professional high, scattering eight hits and one walk while striking out one. Abel Mercedes fired 1 1/3 hitless innings before handing the ball to Dicochea.

The Nuts now make the journey home, hosting the Lake County Captains from August 4-9. For tickets and more information, call (517) 485-4500 or visit www.milb.com/lansing.

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