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Captains comeback falls short against Lansing

Raynel Delgado drove in one of the Captains' two runs in a 5-2 loss on Sunday. (Tim Phillis - TCP Photography)
May 9, 2021

(Lansing, MI) – The Lake County Captains (3-3) lost the final game of their six-game, season-opening series against the Lansing Lugnuts (3-3) on Sunday afternoon at Jackson Field. Lansing hit three home runs and used five pitchers to hold to the Captains’ bats in check. The Captains and Lugnuts split

(Lansing, MI) – The Lake County Captains (3-3) lost the final game of their six-game, season-opening series against the Lansing Lugnuts (3-3) on Sunday afternoon at Jackson Field. Lansing hit three home runs and used five pitchers to hold to the Captains’ bats in check. The Captains and Lugnuts split the series, three games apiece.

Mason Hickman made his professional debut for the Captains on Sunday. Hickman worked around two Lugnuts doubles in the first two frames and struck out five of the first eight batters he faced. In the third inning, however, Lansing took the lead. Jake Suddleson led off the frame with a solo home run to left to put the Lugnuts ahead, 1-0.

The Lugnuts added to their lead with a two-out long ball in the fourth. Shortstop

Brayan Rocchio made a diving catch in the hole on a Cobie Vance line drive and Hickman struck out Jared McDonald for the starter’s sixth punch out. With two outs, however, Max Schuemann singled and Shane Selman hit a two-run home run to left field to give the Lugnuts a 3-0 lead. The home run was the final pitch thrown by Hickman (0-1) who ultimately took the loss. Hickman allowed three runs, all on home runs, over 3.2 innings. He struck out six, walked one and surrendered five hits.

The Captains scratched across their first run in the fifth inning.

Joe Naranjo started the rally with a single to left field against starter Stevie Emanuels. Right-hander Bryce Nightengale entered from the bullpen after Naranjo’s single and the reliever promptly walked Jonathan Engelmann. Two batters later, Will Brennan ripped a two-out single up the middle. Naranjo scored to cut Lansing’s lead to 3-1. The run was charged to Emanuels, who pitched 4.1 strong innings in his professional debut. Emanuels struck out five and held the Captains to one run on two hits with one walk and one hit batter.

Lake County scored again in the top of the sixth against reliever Michael Danielak.

George Valera began the inning with a walk and moved to second on a passed ball by Lugnuts catcher Drew Millas. Aaron Bracho came up next and struck out swinging on a ball in the dirt, but Valera advanced to third when Millas soft-tossed his throw to retire Bracho at first base. Raynel Delgado cashed in with an RBI single to center that scored Valera and cut Lansing’s lead to 3-2.

The Lugnuts tacked on insurance in the bottom of the sixth. After Michael Guldberg hit a one-out double against the Captains’ right-handed reliever

Kevin Kelly, lefty Tim Herrin came in from the Lake County bullpen to face Drew Millas. The Lugnuts’ switch-hitting catcher hit a soft ground ball to Delgado at second base. Bracho ranged too far off the first base bag and could not get back in time when Delgado threw to first. Millas reached and Jordan Díaz followed with an RBI single in the shortstop hole that Rocchio stopped on a backhanded dive. Guldberg scored on the play to push Lansing’s lead to 4-2.

The Lansing rally continued in the sixth, but Herrin minimized the damage. After Herrin struck out Patrick McColl, Cobie Vance dropped down a bunt that Herrin fielded but threw wide of the first base bag, which pulled Bracho off the base and allowed Vance to reach. With the bases loaded and two outs, however, Herrin struck out McDonald to end the inning.

Lake County made a call to the bullpen in the bottom of the eighth, but another Lansing long ball extended the Lugnuts’ lead. Michael Guldberg gave

Jared Janczak a rude welcome with a leadoff home run to left field on the first pitch of the frame. Guldberg’s home run gave Lansing a 5-2 lead.

Jack Weisenburger (1) pitched a perfect ninth with two strikeouts to seal the win for Lansing and earn his first save of the year. Reliever Bryce Nightengale (1-0) picked up the win. Nightengale worked two thirds of an inning, in which he allowed one hit and one walk, along with one strikeout.

The Captains return to action on Tuesday for their home opener of the 2021 season at Classic Park. First pitch against the Fort Wayne TinCaps is set for 7:05 on Tuesday,

A**bout the Captains**

The Lake County Captains are the High-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. For more information, visit the Captains’ website at www.CaptainsBaseball.com, Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/CaptainsBaseball, Twitter @LCCaptains and Instagram @LCCaptains. Fans can also get the latest Captains news and offers by signing up for the Captains’ newsletter, The Anchor.