Sixth-inning rally slams Hot Rods, 5-3

Rain shortens game to eight innings

By David Fine

June 17, 2015

LANSING, Mich. - Jason Leblebijian and Tim Locastro delivered two-run blows in a come-from-behind four-run sixth inning, helping the Lansing Lugnuts (39-27) shake the Bowling Green Hot Rods (37-29), 5-3, on a rain-shortened Wednesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.

Lansing moves two games up on the Hot Rods for first place in the Eastern Division. The Great Lakes Loons are one game back of the Lugs with four games remaining in the first half.

Lansing entered the home half of the sixth trailing, 3-1, before Leblebijian and Locastro came through.

Leblebijian's two-run single up the middle against starter Enderson Franco (Loss, 5-5) tied the game at three. Locastro smacked a two-out, two-run double against All-Star Hunter Wood to give Lansing the edge.

With rain pouring down, runners on first and second and nobody out in the eighth, Bowling Green's Bralin Jackson singled to center. Anthony Alford relayed a throw to first baseman Rowdy Tellez, who tossed to Mike Reeves at home to tag out Justin Williams and keep Lansing ahead by two.

After the outfield assist, the game entered a rain delay. Umpires Art Gonzalez and Tom Roche called the game after a one-hour, 38-minute delay.

Reliever Chase Mallard (Win 3-2) picked up the win in relief, working two innings, allowing three hits, and giving up one run. Starter Sean Reid-Foley preceded Mallard, and struck out five in 4.2 IP.

Jose Fernandez came in for Mallard in the seventh and forced a groundout that stranded a runner in scoring position, preserving the Lugnuts' two run edge. Fernandez pitched 0.2 IP and earned his sixth save.

The final game of the set against Bowling Green is a 7:05 p.m.m Labatt Thirsty Thursday with $2 beers and sodas. Chase De Jong (6-3, 3.38 ERA) is up against Midwest League All-Star Brent Honeywell (4-3, 2.75 ERA).

Lansing's homestand runs until June 21st with one more game against Bowling Green before the Great Lakes Loons visit Cooley Law School Stadium. For more information, call (517) 485-4500 or visit lansinglugnuts.com.

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