Big fifth propels Great Lakes over Locos, 7-6

MIDLAND, Mich. – Jake Gelof drove a three-run to right-center to cap a six-run fifth-inning rally, and the Great Lakes Loons (22-16, 56-47) – playing as Los Pepinillos Picantes de Norte on a Copa night – eked out a 7-6 win over the Lansing Locos (17-22, 53-52) on Thursday night at Dow Diamond.

Great Lakes ended a five-game home losing streak to Lansing with the win.

Trailing 3-1 entering the fifth, the Loons tied the score on a Carlos Rojas RBI single and a Kendall George RBI fielder’s choice. After a walk to Zyhir Hope loaded the bases, reliever Tom Reisinger set down Logan Wagner and Cameron Decker on a foulout and a flyout.
Jack Mahoney relieved Reisinger and walked Joe Vetrano to force in the go-ahead run. Gelof followed with a bases-clearing drive up the alley, lifting Great Lakes into a 7-3 lead.

A C.J. Pittaro RBI triple in the sixth, plus a Joel Ibarra run-scoring throwing error and Ryan Lasko RBI single in the eighth brought Lansing within a run.

But Cam Day stranded runners at second and third to end the eighth, then picked off pinch-runner Carlos Pacheco in the ninth to preserve the win.

Lansing starter Tzu-Chen Sha struck out four batters in four innings, allowing three hits and a Wagner solo home run in a no-decision. Casey Yamauchi went 3-for-5 with an RBI single; the second baseman has five hits and three walks in the first three games of the series.

The Nuts turn to right-hander Kenya Huggins on Friday at 7:05 p.m., opposed by Loons right-hander Brooks Auger.

The Lugnuts play in Midland through Sunday, returning home to welcome in Dayton from August 12-17. Tickets are available for purchase at the stadium box office, (517) 485-4500 or by clicking here.

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