Captains Kick Away A Win

(Eastlake, OH) -The Lake County Captains saw an opportunity to win a series slip through their gloves and fingers on Thursday night. The Captains matched a season high with five errors and despite out hitting the Cedar Rapids Kernels, the Captains dropped the three game series with a 7-6 loss.  

The Captains would get their first lead of the game in the bottom of the first inning. With two outs Anthony Santander doubled to extend the inning. Bobby Bradly would then follow with his twenty-second homerun of the season. The two run homerun to rightfield put the Captains up 2-0.                                                                                                     

Cedar Rapids would cut the deficit in half in the top of the second inning. With one out, Zack Larson reached on the first Captains' error of the game. After Larson stole second, Rafael Valera delivered a two out single to drive in the first Kernels' run of the game.                                                                                                         

The Kernels would take the lead in the top of the fourth inning. Valera would deliver a two out RBI double and Brian Navarreto followed with an RBI single to give Cedar Rapids a 3-2 lead.                                                                                                                  

Lake County wasted little time taking the lead back in the bottom of the fourth. Ordomar Valdez and David Armendariz started the inning with back to back singles. Greg Allen would then bounce into a fielder's choice keeping runners at first and second. A groundout would move both runners up a base. Santander would then single to score both Armendariz and Allen to put the Captains back up 5-3. 

Three more Captains errors would put Cedar Rapids back on top for good in the top of the fifth inning. A Yonathan Mendoza throwing error was combined with throwing errors from Bobby Bradley and Anthony Santander leading to four runs. Only two of the runs were earned. The Kernels would take a 7-5 lead.

The Captains would get back to within a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Santander delivered again. He connected on a solo homerun, his fourth of the season, to bring the score to the final of 7-6.

Julian Merryweather (1-3) took the loss in 4.2 innings of work. He allowed 7 runs, 4 earned, on 8 hits. Merryweather walked 1 and struck out 6. Thomas Pannone would then go a perfect 4.1 innings of relief. He struck out 5 as he retired all 13 batters he faced.  

The Captains will now welcome the Quad Cities River Bandits for a three game series starting on Friday night. The Captains will send Anderson Polanco to the mound for a 7:00PM start.

Individual game tickets are on sale now at the Classic Park Box Office, Online at CaptainsBaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Mini ticket plans for the 2015 season are on sale now at great prices complete with several exclusive benefits.