Haase Lifts Captains Past Dragons 8-6

(Eastlake, OH)- Eric Haase blasted an opposite field two-run homer, and the Captains beat Dayton by a final of 8-6 on Saturday afternoon. Haase now leads the Midwest League in Homeruns with six. The Captains have won back-to-back games to open the thre game set against Dayton.

Dayton (16-12) scored a run in the top of the second inning to take the 1-0 lead. With a runner at second base, Sammy Diaz doubled to left field and the Dragons led by a run. Lake County evened the score in the bottom of the third inning, Paul Hendrix singled and scored on three separate wild pitches to make the score 1-1. After a 53 minute rain delay, the Captains took the lead in the bottom of the fourth inning.

In the fourth, Lake County (9-20) scored two runs, and led 3-1. With runners on the corners, and one out Nellie Rodrigez singled the score was 2-1. Paul Hendrix then lifted a sacrifice fly to center field and the score was 3-1 Lake County.

In the top of the fifth inning, Jamodrick McGruder tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly. The score was 3-2 Lake County.

The Captains scored three runs in the bottom half of the sixth inning, Grant Fink reached on an error to begin the frame. Eric Haase tripled home Fink and the score was 4-2. It became 5-2 on an RBI double from Nellie Rodriguez. Rodriguez scored on an RBI single from Brian Ruiz and the score was 6-2.

Dayton scored two runs in the seventh to cut into the lead. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Dayton scored back-to-back runs on ground ball outs. The score was 6-4 after seven innings. In the top of the eighth, Dayton scored two more and pulled even with Lake County. Tanner Rahier homered, his third of the season, and the lead was 6-5. Sammy Diaz walked and moved to second on a wild pitch. Carlton Daal singled to right field and Diaz scored. The score was tied at 6-6.

RHP Adam Plutko (1-0) started the ballgame for the Captains. Plutko pitched five innings, and allowed two earned runs on five hits. Plutko did not walk a batter and struck out five. Plutko did not get a decision. Wander Bereas came on in relief in the sixth inning. Beras pitched one plus inning and allowed two earned runs, on one hit, two walks and he hit two batters. Beras fanned one. Ben Heller pitched one and two thirds innings, and allowed two earned runs, on two hits, a walk and two strikeouts. Trevor Frank pitched the last inning and one third to earn the win. Frank now has one win on the season.  

LHP Aroldis Chapman (0-0) started for Dayton and did not get a decision. Chapman, on rehab assignment from the Reds, pitched one inning. He walked one, and struck out one. Ismael Guillon took the loss. Guillon pitched four and one third innings and allowed six runs, four earned runs on four hits. He walked three and fanned six. Tony Amezcua pitched two innings and allowed two earned runs on four hits, no walks and he fanned two. Amezcua (0-1) took the loss. Pedro Diaz retired the final two batters for Dayton.

The Captains will remain at home in Eastlake, Ohio on Saturday to continue a three game series with the Dayton Dragons. The Captains will start RHP Mitch Brown (0-4, 6.10) and Dayton will counter with LHP Amir Garrett (0-2, 6.16). First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 PM from Classic Park.

Individual game tickets are on sale at the Classic Park box office, online at captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Full season tickets plans, 7-, 12-, 20-, and 35-game mini ticket plans for the 2014 season are on sale now at great prices complete with several exclusive benefits. Information can be found at the Captains website www.captainsbaseball.com.