(Eastlake, OH) - Francisco Perez led the charge on the mound and the Lake County Captains (19-21) exploded for three home runs in a 7-0 win over the South Bend Cubs (17-21) on Thursday. The Captains and Cubs split their six-game series at Classic Park, wrapping up three games in
(Eastlake, OH) - Francisco Perez led the charge on the mound and the Lake County Captains (19-21) exploded for three home runs in a 7-0 win over the South Bend Cubs (17-21) on Thursday. The Captains and Cubs split their six-game series at Classic Park, wrapping up three games in less than 24 hours after a doubleheader on Wednesday night.
Perez was locked in a pitcher's duel with Cubs starter Brendon Little over the first five innings. The Cubs' left-hander kept Lake County to just three hits over the first five frames and struck out three. Perez (2-3), who ultimately took home the win, shutout South Bend over the first six frames. The lefty gave up six hits, struck out four and walked just one. The game went to the bottom of the sixth, still scoreless.
Lake County's bats broke through in the sixth against Little. After scratching across just three hits against the southpaw, Tyler Friis and Austen Wade led off the frame with back-to-back singles. Little retired the next two men, but Oscar Gonzalez came up next with the biggest blow of the game. With two on and two outs, Gonzalez launched a three-run shot to left field to give Lake County a 3-0 lead. After Jonathan Laureano followed with a single, Ulysses Cantu homered to right field to push the lead to 5-0. In the span of three batters, the Captains had produced five runs on two long balls.
Will Benson helped the Captains extend the lead in the eighth. Facing lefty reliever Yapson Gomez, Benson hit a moon shot solo home run to right field. Benson's league-leading ninth long ball cleared the stilted signs in right-centerfield to give the Captains a 6-0 lead. Gonzalez then reached on an error and scored on a Miguel Eladio ground out to make it 7-0.
The Captains' bullpen kept the Cubs off the scoreboard over the final three innings. Tommy DeJuneas pitched a scoreless seventh and lefty Kyle Nelson tossed a pair of shutout frames in the eighth and ninth, running his streak to 19.1 innings without an earned run allowed this year. The southpaw struck out two batters in the game-sealing ninth.
Little (2-3) took the loss after hitting a wall in the sixth. The lefty pitched six innings and allowed five runs on eight hits. He struck out four and did not issue a walk.
After splitting with South Bend, the Captains hit the road to start a seven-game trek away from home. Lake County starts the road trip with three games against the West Michigan Whitecaps. First pitch for the series opener is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Fifth Third Ballpark on Friday.
Information about Classic Park or the Captains can be found online at www.captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-<st1:stockticker w:st="on">WINS (9467). Affordable ticket packages and group party and picnic options are available now.
