Chiang's strong start spoiled in 2-1 loss

(Eastlake, OH) - Two swings by Great Lakes Loons centerfielder Donavan Tate and a lights-out pitching performance by Isaac Anderson sunk the Lake County Captains on Thursday night at Classic Park. Anderson pitched six shutout frames and Tate's two RBI's were enough for the Loons, as the Captains lost the opener to the second half, 2-1.

Anderson (5-3) proved to be a tough assignment for the Lake County hitters. The right-hander did not allow a baserunner until the fourth inning when Yonathan Mendoza broke through with a single. Anderson only gave up one more hit, a double by Jose Medina in the fifth. The Loons' starter struck out eight and did not walk a batter en route to the win.

Tate was a thorn in the Captains' side at the plate. The former first-round pick delivered a line drive single to center to open the scoring in the second inning and then came through in the fifth with a leadoff home run deep over the left field wall. The centerfielder finished the day 2-for-3 at the plate.

Both of Tate's RBI hits came against Lake County starter Shao-Ching Chiang, who pitched well despite taking the loss. Chiang (4-5) allowed two runs on just four hits over five innings of work. He struck out four men and did not walk a batter. Unfortunately for the Captains, they have lost all four times Chiang and Anderson have squared off this season.

The Captains scratched a run across in the bottom of the eighth, but ultimately shot themselves in the foot with the tying run on third base. Medina began the inning by hitting a bouncer to second base and Omar Estevez air-mailed the throw to first, landing Medina on second with an infield single and a throwing error on the second baseman. With one out, Bobby Ison hit a high bouncer to third base and Jared Walker did not have a play when the ball finally landed in his mitt. The Captains had runners on the corners with one out when Erlin Cerda, on his first day in a Captains uniform, lined a single to right to score Medina and pull the Captains within a run at 2-1.

Ison later moved up to third base after a fielder's choice landed Ordomar Valdez on first base. With two outs, runners on the corners and Mendoza at the plate, Valdez took off for second. Loons catcher Brant Whiting made a pump fake toward second base and then looked at Ison, who had ranged too far off of third base. Whiting and the Loons had Ison in a pickle and shortstop Brendon Davis eventually tagged the runner out halfway between third and home to end the inning.

Though he gave up Lake County's only run, Ivan Vietez earned his second save of the year. Vietez pitched two innings and gave up three hits. The right-hander struck out two Captains.

Lake County and Great Lakes face off again on Friday night at Classic Park. Friday is a Friday Fireworks Night presented by Highland Springs. The Fireworks will be set to Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra to coincide with Holy Cannoli Night. The traditional Italian Heritage Night will feature Italian did-you-knows and facts about Italy. There will be pre-game bocce ball on the field and also the Italian National Anthem. First Pitch will be at 7pm and gates will open 90-minutes prior at 5:30 PM.

Individual game tickets are on sale at the Classic Park box office, online at captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). 12-, 20-, and 35-game mini ticket plans for the 2016 season are on sale now at great prices complete with several exclusive benefits. Information can be found at the Captains website www.captainsbaseball.com.