Captains Celebrate Fourth of July with Shutout of TinCaps

(FORT WAYNE, IN) – The Lake County Captains (40-36) from beginning to end were on the pursuit to victory and defeated the Fort Wayne TinCaps (29-47), 6-0 on a partly cloudy Independence Day at Parkview Field.

Jack Leftwich made his Captains debut and played the role of Captain America. Leftwich began the day by retiring the first eight batters he faced. The ninth in Matthew Acosta singled but was thrown out trying to go to second by Alexfri Planez from deep right-center

The Captains provided run support in the second. Petey Halpin singled to begin the inning and then with two outs, Gabriel Rodriguez lifted a ball to deep right field that got over the tall wall, making it a 2-0 lead.

Milan Tolentino tacked on the third run, singling home Planez who doubled to begin the top of the fourth inning.

Leftwich from the fourth through the sixth allowed only two base runners, both off walks. The first walk was negated after a strikeout and then a throw out by Micael Ramirez of the runner. The Florida native, compiled four 1-2-3 innings and earned his fourth strikeout which was his final out. The 2021 Draft 7th Round Selection threw 85 pitches total, 50 strikes.

Lake County added three more runs of insurance. Angel Martinez elevated a ball over the left field wall, a solo homer. It was sixth this season and first from the right side of the plate and away from Classic Park. A two-run double from Johnathan Rodriguez in the eighth, increased the lead to six.

Alaska Abney would get the final two outs in the seventh and the first two outs in the eighth, off a 4-6-3 double play. Jordan Jones worked around two hits in the ninth and tallied the final four outs, securing the shutout.

Following an off day, the Captains are back in action at Parkview Field against the TinCaps on Wednesday July 6. First pitch is at 12:05 p.m.

Coverage of the game can be found on WJCU.org/Captains and the MiLB First Pitch app.