2010-04-23

Lugnuts stun TinCaps in 10, 11-8

FORT WAYNE, Ind. – A.J. Jimenez knocked a game-tying three-run homer in the ninth and Brad McElroy added a three-run triple in the tenth, launching the Lansing Lugnuts (8-7) to a wild 11-8 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps (7-8) on Thursday night at Parkview Field.
Down 7-4 entering the ninth, Ryan Goins drew a leadoff walk from Stiven Osuna. After Kenny Wilson struck out, Ryan Schimpf singled to left-center. Jimenez followed with his first home run of the season, sending a 1-0 pitch high into the stands in left to tie the game at 7-7.
It was the TinCaps' fifth blown save of the young season.
Reliever Matt Irsfeld (0-2) capped off a night of Fort Wayne disappointment in the tenth, walking Jimenez with one out and the bases loaded to force in the go-ahead run. Irsfeld recovered to strike out Mark Sobolewski, before serving up McElroy's three-bagger to blow the game wide open.
Fort Wayne scored a run in the bottom of the tenth against Steve Turnbull on a wild pitch and threatened for more, but the Lugnuts' closer induced a game-ending fielder's choice from Edinson Rincon.
Lansing relief pitcher Brian Slover (1-0) earned the win with 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.
Each team collected 15 hits in the game. Every member of the Fort Wayne lineup hit safely, led by three hits from Griffin Benedict. For the Lugnuts, Sobolewski and McElroy each notched three hits while Schimpf and JImenez each scored three runs.
The Lugnuts next travel back home to Cooley Law School Stadium to open a three-game series against the Dayton Dragons on Friday night at 7:05 p.m.

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