Fort Wayne’s 2-Run 5th Inning Defeats Captains in 6-Inning, Rain-Shortened Game

EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the 5^th game of a scheduled 6-game series, the Lake County Captains (2-6, 33-40) fell to the Fort Wayne TinCaps (5-3, 37-37) by a final score of 3-2 in 6 innings on Sunday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake.

This was Lake County’s 2^nd game this season that was shortened due to rain, with the 1^st being back on April 30^th in Dayton, which was 8 innings.

After the Captains entered the 5^th inning with a 2-1 lead, an RBI double from Fort Wayne’s Jakob Marsee tied the game at 2-2. This was his 3^rd hit of the game, as he finished the night 3-for-3 at the plate. Then, in the ensuing at-bat, Lucas Dunn, who was pinch-hitting for an ejected Marcos Castañon, hit an RBI single to give the TinCaps the lead.

Immediately after, Shawn Rapp entered the game in relief, forcing a 6-3 double play to end the half-inning.

In the home half of the 5^th inning, Nate Furman drew a 2-out walk, but was caught stealing 2^nd base to end the frame. This was his 1^st time caught stealing at the High-A level. After the TinCaps were retired in order in the top of the 6^th inning, Jorge Burgos hit a 2-out double to put a runner in scoring position for Lake County. However, Joe Lampe, Cleveland’s No. 28 prospect according to MLB.com, struck out to end the inning.

Before the 7^th inning began, the game was delayed due to impending severe weather. After 37 minutes of a severe thunderstorm, the game was called official, handing the Captains their 3^rd loss of the series.

Reid Johnston (5-5) suffered his 2^nd consecutive loss, and 3^rd in his last 4 starts, allowing a season-high 7 hits, 3 earned runs, and a season-low one walk (tied), while throwing 5 strikeouts in 4.1 innings of work. The right-hander allowed a leadoff home run to begin his night, his 10^th home run allowed this season.

Offensively, the Captains began the game with 3 consecutive hits in the bottom of the 1^st inning. After a leadoff single from Nate Furman, Milan Tolentino, Cleveland’s No. 20 prospect according to MLB.com, hit an RBI double to tie the game at 1-1.

Then, in the ensuing at-bat, Chase DeLauter, Cleveland’s No. 6 prospect according to MLB.com, hit an RBI ground-rule double to give the Captains their 1^st lead of the night at 2-1. This was DeLauter’s 1^st career High-A RBI.

First pitch for the finale of this week’s scheduled 6-game series between the Captains and TinCaps is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 4:00 PM. It will be “Mutt Monday” at the ballpark. Coverage of the game can be found on both the Bally Live app and MiLB.tv, as well as through @LCCaptains on Twitter and Instagram.