Taylor and Large homer, but Lugnuts' comeback falls short, 11-8

DAYTON, OH - The Dayton Dragons (29-26) built an 11-1 lead and held on to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts (36-21), 11-8, in the rubber match of a three-game series on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Field.

Hunter Greene (Win, 1-3), the No. 2 overall selection in the 2017 draft, held the Lugnuts at bay for the first five innings, striking out eight while allowing only a solo home run to second baseman Samad Taylor , his fellow Californian. It was Taylor's fourth home run of the year.

Lugnuts starter Maverik Buffo (Loss, 7-2) did not fare as well, giving up three runs in the first inning and five more in the second before blanking the Dragons in the third and fourth innings. Buffo struck out four, allowing three home runs.

Dayton added three more runs in the fifth inning against reliever Andrew Deramo , seemingly blowing the game wide open with a ten-run lead.

But the Lugnuts refused to allow their hosts to cruise to the finish line. Cullen Large slugged his fourth home run of the year in the sixth inning, drawing the Nuts within 11-2.

Lansing added four more runs in the seventh against relief pitchers Dauri Moreta and Cory Thompson on a Reggie Pruitt sacrifice fly, a Chavez Young RBI infield single, a Large RBI double and a Brock Lundquist RBI single, carving the lead down to 11-6.

In the eighth, Norberto Obeso led off with a single against Thompson, his third hit of the game. Catcher Andres Sotillo doubled him to third, his second double of the game. A second Pruitt sac fly and a Young RBI groundout later, and the Lugnuts were within three.

That was as close as they would come. John Ghyzel set the side down in order in the ninth, picking up his league-leading 11th save.

After a Midwest League off day Monday, the Lugnuts proceed to their second stop on a four-series, 13-game, 14-day road trip, opening a three-game series Tuesday at the Bowling Green Hot Rods.

Following their current 13-game road trip, the Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium on Friday, June 15th, opening a three-game series against South Bend featuring Family Faith Night with LAFCU Fireworks on June 15th, Star Wars Night with LAFCU Fireworks on June 16th, and a Father's Day Delta Dental Kids Day with a special Jersey Giveaway on June 17th. To purchase tickets and live the Lug Life, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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