Captains split with Dayton in homer-fest
(Dayton, OH) - Baseballs soared out of Fifth Third Field on Tuesday night. On a day that featured six home runs, the Lake County Captains (20-25) won one and lost one against the Dayton Dragons (22-21). Lake County lost the completion of Monday's suspended game, 5-4, on a walk-off single
(Dayton, OH) - Baseballs soared out of Fifth Third Field on Tuesday night. On a day that featured six home runs, the Lake County Captains (20-25) won one and lost one against the Dayton Dragons (22-21). Lake County lost the completion of Monday's suspended game, 5-4, on a walk-off single by
Monday's game was suspended due to rain in the fifth inning with the score tied, 2-2. When the game resumed on Tuesday, Captains reliever
The Captains quickly struck back with long balls of their own.
Dayton ultimately won the game in the bottom of the ninth. Clementina blooped a single down the right field line against Captains right-hander
Echols (0-1) took the loss after allowing the winning run. He pitched 1.1 innings and gave up one run on four hits. Echols walked one and did not record a strikeout.
Nutoff (3-1) picked up the win despite suffering his fourth blown save. He allowed one run over 1.2 innings. The right-hander gave up three hits, struck out two and did not issue a walk.
Game two began with more long balls.
The ballgame turned into a pitcher's duel after the first-inning fireworks. Perez held the Dragons scoreless over the next four innings. He ultimately did not factor in the decision, but the Lake County lefty pitched five frames and gave up just one run on two hits. He walked two and struck out four.
Bautista was two completely different pitchers in the front half of the game and in the back end. The right-hander did not strike out a single Captain in the first three innings, but still held Lake County to one run on two hits with one walk over that span. Then, from the fourth through the sixth, Bautista struck out seven of the 11 Captains he faced over three scoreless innings. Gonzalez, however, got to Bautista in the seventh.
Bautista had scattered just three singles since Laureano's first-inning homer. With one out and nobody on in the seventh, however, Gonzalez smashed a hard liner over the centerfield wall. The baseball slammed against the batter's eye for a solo shot to give Lake County a 2-1 lead. It was Gonzalez's sixth home run of the year, his second of the night and his fifth in his last 10 games.
Bautista (2-3) took the loss despite a strong start. The right-hander worked 6.2 innings and allowed two runs on seven hits. He struck out seven and walked one.
The Captains are now 1-5 against Dayton, but almost every game has been close. Four of the first six games in the season series have been decided in the last two innings, including both of Tuesday's contests.
Lake County and Dayton have split the first two games in this four-game series. Game three is slated for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Field.
Information about Classic Park or the Captains can be found online at www.captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-<st1:stockticker w:st="on">WINS (9467). Affordable ticket packages and group party and picnic options are available now.