Whitecaps Hold Off Late Rally and Win 5-4

(Comstock Park, MI)- Jose Zambrano lined a double down the left field line which added two insurance runs in the eighth inning, and the Whitecaps beat the Captains 5-4 on Thursday Night. The Whitecaps used a total of two hits, a wild pitch, stolen base and an error to plate the pair of runs in the eighth inning. The Whitecaps won the series against the Captains. In the month of July the Captains had a 1-10 record away from Classic Park.

Lake County scored first. In the top of the first inning, Ivan Castillo singled to lead off the inning and came in to score on an RBI double from Torsten Boss. Two batters into the ballgame it was 1-0 Captains.

West Michigan took the lead in the bottom half of the third inning. With two runners on and one out, Javier Betancourt laced a double to left field and both runners scored to give the Whitecaps a 2-1 lead. West Michigan added a run on a bases loaded walk in the bottom of the fourth inning and the score was 3-1.

The Captains rallied for three runs in the ninth inning but fell short. Richard Stock had a sac fly to knock in one run and made the score 5-2. With the bases loaded and two outs, Torsten Boss singled to left field and two runs scored. The score was 5-4, which was the final.

LHP Luis Lugo (5-9) started the ballgame for Lake County and took the loss. Lugo pitched five innings and allowed six hits, three earned runs, one walk and a hit batter. Lugo set down six on strikes. Robbie Aviles entered in relief and pitched two shutout innings. Carlos Melo allowed two earned runs on two hits and a walk in his only inning of work.

RHP Zach Davenport (5-2) started game two for the Whitecaps and did not get a decision. Davenport twirled four innings and allowed one earned run on three hits, he walked two and fanned five. Artie Lewicki (1-1) entered in relief for West Michigan and earned the win. Lewicki pitched three innings of shutout baseball. He was one of three relievers used on the night.

The Captains will open a six game home stand starting on Friday. Bowing Green will be in town for the first three ballgames. On Friday, the Captains will start RHP Mitch Brown (3-8, 4.15) and the Hot Rods will counter with RHP D.J. Slaton (0-1, 7.20). First pitch will be at 7:00 Pm from Classic Park in Eastlake, Ohio.

Friday is the Captains' annual "Salute to Cleveland Sports History Night". The inaugural event in 2009 was named ESPN the Magazine's "Minor League Promotion of the Year". The night will include Cleveland Sports history-themed on-field promotions and appearances and autograph sessions by Cleveland sports legends.

As part of the festivities, Captains will pay homage to the 1989 film "Major League" which has become a sports movie classic. In keeping with that theme, the Captains will wear replica 1989 road uniforms that were inspired by the Indians uniform design worn in the movie. The game-worn jerseys will be auctioned off during the game with proceeds to benefit Captains Charities.

Chelcie Ross, who played the wily, junk-ball pitcher Eddie Harris in the film, will be in attendance signing autographs and meeting fans in the concourse.

Also, the first 1,500 fans in attendance will receive a Jobu bobble doll presented by Sysco. In the movie, Jobu is the spiritual leader of Cleveland Indians outfielder Pedro Cerrano. 

All bobbleheads will be given out at the main gates of Classic Park (the entrance facing Route 91 and the Pedestrian Bridge). These gates will open at 6:00 PM. The first base gate will be closed until all bobbleheads are distributed and will open at that time.

This year's guests scheduled to appear include former Browns star Al "Bubba" Baker, Cavalier greats Austin Carr, Jim Chones and Bobby "Bingo" Smith, UFC fighter and Eastlake North grad Stipe Miocic as well as fellow UFC fighter  Jessica "Evil" Eye. Former Force and Crunch Indoor soccer player Hector Marinaro and Jeopardy Champion Arthur Chu will also be meeting and greeting fans in attandance.

Friday is a Firework's Friday Night presented by Universal Windows Direct with the fireworks show featuring a Motivational Sports Music themed soundtrack. Game time is 7 PM.

The Captains post-game concert series kicks off on Friday with the iconic band Stone Pony performing on the stage adjacent to Corona's Castaway Bar.

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.