| Sunday, August 15, 2010 For Immediate Release |
Contact: Jesse Goldberg-Strassler ( 517) 485-4500 ext. 233 |
Ochinko launches Lugnuts over TinCaps, 5-3
LANSING, Mich. – Sean Ochinko hit a dramatic two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth, lifting the Lansing Lugnuts (25-24; 61-57) to a 5-3 comeback victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps (30-19; 66-53) before a crowd of 8,112 on Sunday afternoon on Jackson Field.
The win snapped a seven-game winning streak for the TinCaps in Lansing and also kept the Lugnuts in a tie with West Michigan for the playoff spot in the Eastern Division.
The Caps led 3-1 in the seventh inning, but Jeudy Valdez's error opened the door for a two-out two-run double from Brad Glenn off of reliever Allen Marona.
Two innings later, the Lugnuts again struck with two outs.
Facing Stiven Osuna (2-3), Justin Jackson slapped a single up the middle. Ochinko followed by blasting a 1-0 pitch over the left field wall, his eighth homer of the season and the Lugnuts' first walk-off home run of the year.
Steve Turnbull (3-3) earned the win with two scoreless innings of relief, capping off a fine performance by the Nuts' bullpen.
Lansing starter Matt Fields allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks in 4 1/3 innings. Scott Gracey followed with 2 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only hit in the process.
Ochinko finished the game 2-for-4 with three RBIs, including a run-scoring double in the third inning. Jackson, Glenn, Kevin Ahrens, and Michael Crouse also supplied two-hit performances for the Lugs.
The Lugnuts and TinCaps play the rubber match of their three-game series on Monday night at 7:05 at Cooley Law School Stadium. Lansing right-hander Drew Hutchison (0-0, 0.00) receives the start opposite Fort Wayne right-hander Jerry Sullivan (7-4, 4.36).
Tickets to all Lugnuts home games are available for purchase online at www.lansinglugnuts.com, at the stadium box office, and by calling 517-485-4500.
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