Milbrath helps Captains sweep two from Lugnuts
EASTLAKE, OH - The Lake County Captains (2-1) posted seven unanswered runs to close out an early afternoon win and followed it with a Jordan Milbrath two-hit shutout, sweeping a double-header, 7-5 and 5-0, from the Lansing Lugnuts (1-2) on Saturday afternoon at Classic Stadium.
Lansing jumped on Lake County starter Caleb Hamrick early in Game 1. Dickie Joe Thon clubbed a grand slam in top of the third inning to break a scoreless tie, and Dawel Lugo provided a sacrifice fly three batters later to push the Lugs' lead to 5-0.
The Captains answered with a four-run rally against Lugs starting pitcher Chase De Jong, highlighted by a Claudio Bautista three-run home run.
Lake County tied the game on a Nellie Rodriguez RBI single in the fifth inning off reliever Adonys Cardona (L, 0-1).
An inning later, a two-out error by Thon allowed a pair of go-ahead runs, lifting Lake County to its first lead, and soon, its first win of the season.
Kenny Matthews (W, 1-0) tossed a scoreless final three innings to finish the opener of the twinbill.
In the second game of the afternoon, Cody Ferrell broke the scoreless tie with a solo home run to left field in the second inning, providing all the run support Milbrath (W, 1-0) needed.
The South Dakotan held the Lugnuts to two Ian Parmley walks, a Thon broken-bat blooper and a Jason Leblebijian infield single.
After a strong start, Lansing starter Jeremy Gabryszwski (L, 0-1) was chased from the game during a four-run fifth inning for the Captains.
The Lugnuts will try to split the series tomorrow afternoon at Classic Stadium in the finale of the four-game set. Kendall Graveman will start on the mound for Lansing, with Adam Plutko getting the call for Lake County. First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
Lansing's home opener will be held on Tuesday, April 8th, at 7:05 p.m. against the Quad Cities River Bandits - a Dollar Deal Day at Cooley Law School Stadium, featuring $1 hot dogs, $1 ice cream sandwiches and $1 fountain drinks.
Lugnuts tickets are available for purchase via the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, telephone at 517-485-4500 and online at lansinglugnuts.com. To sign up for Lugnuts Alerts, text LUGNUTS to 80373.
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