Lansing - The Lansing Lugnuts stole the game from the Fort Wayne Wizards on Wednesday by sacrificing their way to a 3-2 win at Oldsmobile Park.
After plating only one run on five hits through eight innings, the Lugnuts (15-18) went back to the basics. Shortstop Buck Coats led off the ninth with a seeing-eye single to left field. One batter later, designated hitter Keith Butler pulled off a base hit of his own. The Lugnuts loaded the bases as second baseman Robinson Chirinos beat out a slow-rolling ground ball for an infield hit.
Kevin Collins stepped to the plate with the bases loaded and only one out. Collins, the team's strikeout leader, fell behind in the count 0-1 after a big swing and a miss. The air filled with doubt, but Collins made everyone look like fools as he let the next four pitches go to draw a walk. Coats made it home to tie the game, 2-2.
Normally, when Fort Wayne (15-18) reliever Dale Thayer enters a ball game, it's over. A Midwest League leader in saves (23), Thayer has been the best closer this season.
"Bullpen is usually automatic for them," Lugnuts Manager Julio Garcia said.
But the Lugnuts' patience and ability to scratch out hits and draw walks bucked that trend and put Thayer (1-3) in an unusual position.
With the bases loaded and still only one out, right fielder Jason Fransz stepped up to the plate.
On a 1-0 pitch, Fransz, knowing the team didn't need a big hit to win, sent a towering fly ball to center field. It was a shallow hit, allowing Wizards center fielder Steve Baker to make a throw to the plate.
Lansing's Butler was the man standing on third and once the catch was made, ran home to slide in for the game-winning run.
Garcia was relieved after winning a close game in the bottom of the ninth.
"I don't think we have had one of those all year," he said.
The Lugnuts struck a run in the bottom of fifth to open the scoring. First baseman Kevin Collins walked to lead off the inning and was driven in on a double by catcher Jose Reyes.
The Wizards scored both runs on back-to-back sacrifice flies in the sixth inning, giving Fort Wayne a 2-1 lead heading into the late innings.
Lugnuts closer Jason Wylie picked up the win for Lansing. Wylie (1-2) pitched one perfect inning in the ninth and his teammates did the rest.
"You have to play all nine innings, cause you never know what might happen," third baseman Casey McGehee said.
The win was Lansing's second in a row, making them 2-1 for the eight game homestand.
Fort Wayne and Lansing conclude the first four game series at 7:05 p.m. on Thursday night when lefty Andrew Sisco throws out the first pitch at Oldsmobile Park, 505 East Michigan Ave.
J. Ryan Mulcrone is the State News sports reporter. Reach him at mulcron3@msu.edu.
