Captains Extend Winning Streak to Eight, With Eight Run Triumph over TinCaps

(EASTLAKE, OH) - The Lake County Captains (60-45) take care of the Fort Wayne TinCaps (44-63) in a 9-1 rout on a cloudy Saturday night at Classic Park.

The Captains kicked off the scoring when Petey Halpin launched his second home run of the series over the right-center field wall to begin the second inning. The solo shot, put Lake County ahead 1-0.

Joe Naranjo would keep the scoring going in the third when he hit a one-out RBI Double. Then, Johnathan Rodriguez would score Naranjo with a no doubt, two-run blast in the next at-bat to extend the Captain's lead to 4-0. Rodriguez has back to back games with a homer, and the first Lake County Captain to reach 20.

Tommy Mace, scoreless through four innings, was forced to leave before throwing a pitch in the fifth inning after unsuccessful attempts to stop the bleeding from an open blister on the righty's throwing hand.

Brian Eichorn would have to come into the game unexpectedly. Olivier Basabe was the first batter he faced in the inning, and he went yard to bring the TinCaps within three. The 2018 9th-round pick would retire the next three batters he faced.

In the bottom of the inning, Lake County would tack on more run support with an Angel Martinez solo home run and a broken bat, Johnathan Rodriguez RBI single. The home run extended the Santo Domingo native's on-base streak to 23 games. The Captains led 6-1.

Raymond Burgos and Alaska Abney would work scoreless efforts out of the bullpen. Burgos went 1.2 innings, allowing one hit, and Abney went 1.1 innings without surrendering a hit.

Connor Kokx wrapped up the game offensively with a three-run bomb in the eighth inning to pad Lake County's lead, now 9-1. Zach Hart put the finishing touches on the game with a 1-2-3 ninth inning.

The Captains finish their six-game series tomorrow afternoon, Sunday August 14, with the first pitch at 1:00 pm. Don't miss Skipper's Birthday Bash presented by We Library apart of Family Fun Sunday brought to you by Mentor Nissan.

Coverage of the game can be found on WJCU.org/captains and the MiLB First Pitch app.