(Eastlake, OH) - Alexis Pantoja has hit two home runs in his professional career. The first was a grand slam on July 1 of this year. The second came on Thursday night and lifted the Lake County Captains (24-36, 51-78) to a come-from-behind victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps (37-23,
(Eastlake, OH) - Alexis Pantoja has hit two home runs in his professional career. The first was a grand slam on July 1 of this year. The second came on Thursday night and lifted the Lake County Captains (24-36, 51-78) to a come-from-behind victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps (37-23, 63-67). Pantoja's fifth-inning home run helped the Captains to a 2-1 win at Classic Park, snapping a five-game losing streak.
Thursday's game began as a pitcher's duel between Captains starter Zach Plesac and 18-year old TinCaps hurler Adrian Morejon. Plesac was the first to bend when he allowed a solo home run to Kyle Overstreet in the second, but the right-hander settled down from there and gave up just the one run in 4.2 innings of work. Morejon blanked the Captains over the first four innings, but hit a wall in the fifth.
Morejon started the fifth by walking Logan Ice , bringing Pantoja to the plate. After falling behind Pantoja with two straight balls, Morejon delivered an offering that Pantoja crushed. The second baseman sent the Morejon offering over the right field wall for a two-run shot to give the Captains a 2-1 lead. Morejon then walked Jorma Rodriguez and gave up a single to Mitch Longo before being relieved, but the Captains could not score again against lefty reliever Will Headean.
Justin Garza took over for Plesac and pitched brilliantly down the stretch. Garza began his outing by striking out six of the first nine batters he faced. The right-hander finished the game for the Captains and did not allow a run over 4.1 innings to earn the win. Garza (4-6) gave up two hits, walked one and struck out six.
Morejon (1-1) took the loss for Fort Wayne. The southpaw pitched four innings and allowed two runs on four hits. Morejon walked three and struck out two.
Lake County wrapped up its seven-game home stand with a comeback win. The Captains will hit the road for a four-game series at the South Bend Cubs, beginning on Friday night. First pitch at Four Winds Field is scheduled for 7:35 PM.
Individual game tickets for all Captains games are on sale at the Classic Park box office, online at captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Mini ticket plans for the 2017 season are still available for great prices complete with several exclusive benefits. Information can be found at the Captains website www.captainsbaseball.com.
