Fox’s 4 RBI Drive Captains to Victory in Penultimate Game of 2023 Season

EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the fift of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (33-30, 64-64) defeated the Lansing Lugnuts (29-36, 60-70) by a final score of 5-1 on Saturday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake.

This victory marks Lake County’s 10^th series win of the season. In their 23 series played this season, the Captains finish 2023 with a series record of 10-9-4.

Jake Fox, Cleveland’s No. 12 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, led the way for Lake County with 4 RBI. The 20-year-old finished a double shy of the cycle, going 3-for-4 at the plate with 2 runs scored.

After hitting a leadoff single in the bottom of the 1^st inning, Fox hit a two-out RBI triple in the bottom of the 5^th inning to drive in the game’s first run. Two innings later, he hit a three-run home run, his 8^th home run of the season, to extend the Captains’ lead to 5-1.

Both teams were scoreless through the top of the 4^th inning. During this span, Lake County’s defense turned two 5-4-3 double plays. Offensively, the Captains nearly scored the first run of the night in the bottom of the 3^rd inning.

Dayan Frias, Cleveland’s No. 25 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, hit a single to center field. Chase DeLauter, Cleveland’s No. 4 and MLB’s No. 85 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, tried to score from 2^nd base, but was thrown out at the plate to end the inning.

In the bottom of the 5^th frame, Lake County strung together four consecutive two-out hits. Tyresse Turner began this stretch with his first career High-A triple. This was immediately followed by Jake Fox’s RBI triple, which put the Captains ahead 1-0.

Then, Chase DeLauter hit a two-out RBI single to make the score 2-0, extending his hitting streak to 5 games. The 21-year-old has now hit safely in 11 of his last 12 games, and 36 of his first 42 High-A games. In the ensuing plate appearance, Dayan Frias hit a ground-rule double. The 21-year-old went 3-for-4 at the plate in the contest with a pair of doubles.

Captains starting pitcher Parker Messick (2-4), Cleveland’s No. 17 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, recorded his second career High-A win, and first in a month. The left-hander pitched a season-high 6 innings (tied), allowing a career-high 8 hits (tied), one earned run, and one walk, while throwing 7 strikeouts in 85 pitches (62 strikes). The 22-year-old’s lone earned run allowed was courtesy of a two-out solo home run from Lansing’s Euribel Ángeles in the top of the 6^th inning.

Josh Wolf and Magnus Ellerts then combined to pitch 3 scoreless innings of relief. Wolf pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and throwing one strikeout. Ellerts allowed a leadoff walk to begin the 9^th inning before striking out the next three Lugnuts hitters to end the game.

First pitch for the Captains’ 2023 season finale against the Lugnuts is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 PM. It will be “Fan Appreciation Day” and “Throwback Cleveland History Sunday” at the ballpark, where there will be pregame catch on the field and player autographs, as well as postgame kids run the bases. Coverage of the game can be found on both the Bally Live app and MiLB.tv, as well as through @LCCaptains on both X and Instagram.