Behind Big 1st, Lansing Wins Third Straight
September 6, 2022 – Midwest League (MWL) – Lansing Lugnuts News Release
LANSING, Mich. – Jonny Butler swatted a three-run homer in a four-run first inning, and the Lansing Locos (28-33, 53-74) prevailed in their final Copa de la Diversión game of the year, 6-2, over the Dayton Dragons (25-33, 64-59) on Tuesday evening at Jackson® Field™.
The game began the homestretch, with five more games remaining against Dayton in the 2022 Lansing season. It was the seventh and final time that the Lansing Lugnuts played as their alternate Copa identity, the turquoise and marigold Locos, finishing with a 4-3 record and wins in their last three games as the Locos.
Dayton entered the game having won nine of their last ten and averaging seven runs per game in their last series vs. Cedar Rapids, but went 0-for-15 with runners in scoring position and managed its only offense on solo home runs from Noelvi Marte in the third inning and Michel Triana in the ninth.
Butler delivered more than that with one swing in the first. After Cooper Bowman singled, Lawrence Butler doubled, Max Muncy plated Bowman with a sacrifice fly, and Shane McGuire drew a walk, Butler drove a payoff pitch from Dayton starter Javi Rivera over the 23-foot wall in right for a 4-0 Locos lead.
A Max Muncy triple combined with an Austin Hendrick throwing error in the third increased the lead to 5-1, and a Joshwan Wright double and Jared McDonald RBI single added one last tally for insurance in the eighth.
The pitchers handled the rest. Lansing starter Jacob Watters, the Athletics’ No. 26 prospect, struck out his first two Midwest League batters in working two scoreless innings. Angello Infante took care of the next three frames, serving up Marte’s homer. Kumar Nambiar held the Dragons hitless through the sixth and seventh. And Calvin Coker handled the eighth and ninth innings, allowing Triana’s roundtripper.
The result gave Lansing its third straight win overall and its sixth straight in the season series vs. Dayton, improving the club’s 2022 record to 9-4 against the Dragons.
Wednesday brings the final Dog Days of Summer of the year, with Lansing right-hander Christian Fernandez (7.30 ERA) taking on Dayton right-hander Thomas Farr (4.87). Gates open at 6 p.m. for the 7:05 p.m. start. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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