Published April 20, 2004
Breaks don't go Lugnuts' way
Apparent homer called back in 9th as Lansing falls 2-1 in 10 innings

By Mark Feather
For the Lansing State Journal

Close doesn't count in the standings, but the Lansing Lugnuts couldn't have come much closer to victory in a 2-1 loss to South Bend in 10 innings on Monday.

In the bottom of the ninth inning in a 1-1 game, Lansing first baseman Brian Dopirak took South Bend reliever Billy Biggs' second pitch deep to left field for what was originally signaled as a home run.

But the call was reversed and Dopirak awarded a double because of a rule interpretation of Oldsmobile Park.

"I thought the ball hit the grass and came back," said Lansing manager Julio Garcia.

"But if the ball hits the outfield rail and comes back, then it's in play.

''That's what (the umpires) thought happened and for the most part they're usually right."

Dopirak would disagree.

"I hit it hard enough that I thought it was gone," Dopirak said. "The base ump was signaling home run and I came all the way home."

Dopirak finished the game 2-for-4 with both hits for doubles in an unconventional way. His fourth-inning hit to the outfield fence got lodged between the padding on the wall.

"It was strange, but also disappointing," said Dopirak, who's watched his team lose three of its last five games in extra innings.

"You always want a double, but you want the win more. The loss, that's what hurts. Sean Marshall pitched a (great) game and the guys played some really good defense."

The Lugnuts are now three games behind South Bend (9-2) in the Midwest League's Eastern Division.

Lansing (6-5) was tied with the Silver Hawks for the divisional lead after Friday's home-opening win, but has surrendered three straight since.

An excellent outing for Marshall, Lansing's 6-foot-6 left-hander, ended in a no-decision. Marshall struck out nine batters and allowed six hits, no walks and one earned run in less than 85 pitches.

"I got a lot of first-pitch strikes and that always helps," Marshall said.

"I could have pitched the ninth, but I thought we'd turn it over to the bullpen and maybe get a change of luck."

A change of luck is exactly what Lansing got.

Lansing closer Adalberto Mendez (1-1) gave up a double to lead off the 10th inning after pitching a flawless ninth.

The double by South Bend's Jeff Cook turned into the game-winning run after Silver Hawk second baseman Emilio Bonafacio bunted to advance to runner and Miguel Montero brought him home with a sacrifice fly.

The Lugnuts play host to the Beloit Snappers at 6 p.m. today.