TinCaps top Lugnuts, 15-0

By Jesse Goldberg-Strassler

June 10, 2018

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - 2017 No. 3 draft pick MacKenzie Gore returned from the Disabled List with two scoreless innings, and the Fort Wayne TinCaps (28-33) topped the Lansing Lugnuts (39-24), 15-0, on Sunday afternoon at Parkview Field.The loss - which featured season highs in runs and base hits (18)

FORT WAYNE, Ind. - 2017 No. 3 draft pick MacKenzie Gore returned from the Disabled List with two scoreless innings, and the Fort Wayne TinCaps (28-33) topped the Lansing Lugnuts (39-24), 15-0, on Sunday afternoon at Parkview Field.

The loss - which featured season highs in runs and base hits (18) allowed by Lansing pitchers - prevented the Lugnuts from clinching a first-half playoff berth yet, setting the stage for a potential clincher in the Monday night series finale.

A week after facing No. 2 pick Hunter Greene, starting for Dayton, the Lugnuts managed a Ryan Noda walk and a Samad Taylor hit-by-pitch against the San Diego Padres prospect southpaw in two frames.

All-Star Aaron Leasher (Win, 3-3), a native of Mount Pleasant, Mich., followed with six scoreless innings, limiting the Lugnuts to singles by Noda, Chavez Young , Ryan Gold and Norberto Obeso while striking out six.

The TinCaps fared far better against Lugnuts All-Star Maximo Castillo (Loss, 4-2) and reliever Donnie Sellers , scoring eight runs in three innings-plus off Castillo and adding seven runs, three earned, in five innings against Sellers. Fort Wayne was led by designated hitter Esteury Ruiz, who singled, doubled, homered, walked, scored five runs and notched four RBIs.

In the loss, right fielder Chavez Young notched his league-leading eleventh outfield assist, throwing out Gabriel Arias at third base in the fourth inning.

Lansing third baseman Yeltsin Gudiño went 0-for-4, ending his 13-game hitting streak.

The series finale, set for 7:05 p.m. Monday at Parkview Field, will feature Lugnuts 6-foot-7 right-hander Colton Laws (5.85 ERA) against TinCaps 6-foot-7 right-hander Mason Thompson (5.82).

The Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium on Friday, June 15th, opening a three-game series against South Bend with 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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