Captains avert sweep, edge Lugnuts 3-2

EASTLAKE, Ohio - Miguel Eladio's home run broke a seventh-inning tie, and the Lake County Captains (26-41, 53-83) avoided a three-game home sweep with a 3-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts (26-41, 63-70) on Friday night at Classic Park.

The Lugnuts had pounded five home runs in winning the first two games of the series, 10-3 and 7-4. There were two crucial home runs in this game as well - but neither by Lansing.

Li-Jen Chu's 17th home run of the season, victimizing Juliandry Higuera , leading off the fourth inning, staked the Captains to a 2-1 lead.

They held that lead until a Joshua Palacios two-out RBI double in the seventh off reliever Alsis Herrera brought in Nick Sinay to tie the game at 2-2.

In the bottom of the seventh, new reliever Jake Fishman (Loss, 0-1) set down Emmanuel Tapia and Jose Vicente before serving up a first-pitch fastball to Eladio. It landed just over the top of the wall in left, the second baseman's seventh home run of the year.

Herrera (Win, 5-2) pitched three innings in relief of Brady Aiken to earn the win, allowing only one hit - Palacios's double. Dalbert Siri (Save, 13) pitched the ninth in perfect fashion.

In the loss, Higuera distinguished himself with six innings of two-run ball, striking out seven. Sinay drew three walks, stole two bases (including home) and scored both Lugnuts runs.

The Nuts open their final homestand of 2017 on Saturday night vs. Dayton, an Eat-A-Palooza: admission and all you can eat inside the ballpark for $22 in advance! Right-hander Dalton Rodriguez (1-1, 10.24) takes on Dragons lefty Scott Moss (13-6, 3.41) at 7:05 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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