Daal homer helps TinCaps sweep Lugnuts, 7-5

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - For the third straight game, the Lansing Lugnuts' (4-9) bullpen faltered, leading to a 7-5 loss to the Fort Wayne TinCaps (9-6) on Sunday at Parkview Field.

The loss resulted in a three game sweep of the Lugnuts by Fort Wayne. Lansing has dropped six straight games on the road.

After the Lugnuts tied the game with five runs in the top of the frame, TinCaps catcher Rodney Daalled off the bottom half of the sixth with his first home run of the season, victimizing Lansing relieverBen White (Loss, 0-1) to put Fort Wayne quickly back ahead, 6-5.

The TinCaps added an insurance run later in the inning with a Diego Goris sacrifice fly. After not having played in nine days, Goris drove in three of the team's seven runs.

Fort Wayne right hander Roman Madrid allowed a baserunner in the ninth, but converted his third save of the young season.

Down 5-0 heading into the sixth, Lansing plated five runs to tie the game. The rally was highlighted by a two-run single from Carlos Ramirez and an RBI single from Chris Hawkins.

Despite allowing three runs in 2.1 innings, TinCaps reliever John Hussey (Win, 1-0) earned the win in relief of Justin Hancock, who threw 5.2 innings, allowing two runs on just two hits.

The Lugnuts travel back home to start a three-game home series against the Dayton Dragons Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. Lansing will feature righty Javier Avendano (1-1, 4.30) against Dayton southpaw Ismael Guillon (0-2, 6.75).

Lansing Lugnuts tickets are available for purchase at lansinglugnuts.com and by calling 517-485-4500, and Lugnuts text alerts are easily accessed by texting LUGNUTS to 313131.

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