Eastlake, OH- The Lake County Captains (25-24) looked to close out their series with a win today at Classic Park against the West Michigan Whitecaps (23-27).
Originally Lenny Torres was getting the start for the Captains, but Tommy Mace (0-1, 6.30 ERA) took the mound coming off of a injury that sidelined him since May 15th. Opposite Mace is Jordan Marks (0-3, 6.03 ERA) who got the nod from the Whitecaps.
In the top of the second Whitecaps 3B Colt Keith lead off the inning with a double. Tommy Mace then walked RF Ben Malgeri and SS Trei Cruz to load the bases. 2B Jose King then hit into a double play, however scoring Colt Keith from third. Tommy Mace had a short outing being relieved with 2 outs in the top of the second by Raymond Burgos (1-1, 3.20 ERA). Burgos was able to end the inning on a fly out by CF Akil Baddoo. Whitecaps took the lead 1-0.
The Captains with 2 outs in the bottom of the 2nd, DH Gabriel Rodriguez launched a rocket over the bleachers in left field for his third home run of the season, and tying the game up at 1-1.
The bottom of the 3rd came, and SS Angel Martinez who is the 10th ranked prospect in the Guardians organization according the MLB.com hit his 2nd home run of the season over the right field wall, giving the Captains a 2-1 lead.
Lenny Torres 1-3, 8.10 ERA) came in to take over for Burgos in the top of the 4th for Lake County.
Starting out the bottom of the 4th RF Alexfri Planez hit what looked like a single to left, but hustled to second while the Whitecaps were asleep stretching it into a double. Next 3B Raynel Delgado walked. 2B Christian Cairo hit into a double play however advancing Planez to 3rd. Unfortunately DH Gabriel Rodriguez grounded out to end the inning leaving a run on third.
C Micael Ramirez started the bottom of the 5th with a single. With 1 out SS Angel Martinez hit a double down the right field line. Whitecaps Jordan Marks was taken out with 1 out bringing in RHP Michael Bienlien(1-2, 7.20 ERA) with runners on 2nd and 3rd. Up came Jhonkensy Noel who was intentionally walked. Up came RF Alexfri Planez who hammered a ball deep over the bleachers in left for a grand slam. That was Planez 2nd homer of the season and gave the Captains a 6-1 lead.
West Michigan relieved Bienlien with Angel Reyes (0-1 with a 6.48 ERA) in the latter half of the 7th inning.
SS Angel Martinez started off the bottom of the 7th with a fastball launched deep to right and over the Captains batting cages for his 2nd home run of the game and 3rd of the season, extending the Captains lead to 7-1.
LHP Matt Turner came in the top of the 8th for the Captains. With a big lead it looked as if the Captains would get some innings for their pitchers in.
3B Raynel Delgado walked to start the bottom of the 8th, followed by a single by 2B Christian Cairo who has also had an outstanding game defensively. C Micael Ramirez then singled to drive in Delgado giving the Captains a 8-1 lead deep into the game. With bases loaded SS Angel Ramirez hit into a force at 2nd but beat the throw to first to drive in another run. 9-1 Captains.
After a few singles and a run batted in for the Whitecaps, Damon Casetta-Stubbs turned off the lights and the Captains picked up the win 9-2 and improving to 26-24 on the season. The Captains have really been hitting the ball well and playing some impressive defense over their last few series and are looking like one of the best teams in High A ball.
After the game head coach Greg Dicenzo was asked about the Whitecaps pitching around Jhonkensy Noel to get to Alexfri Planez before he hit the grand slam and he said "I can't blame other teams for wanted to pitch around Jhonkensy he's a monster, but so is Planez. He has been out for an extended amount of time and his number could be just as gaudy as Kensy's and with time might be." It's good to know Lake County has big time players all over the field.
Players of the Game
Captains
Angel Martinez 3-5 2 HR 3 RBI 3 Runs
Alexfri Planez 2-4 1 HR 4 RBI 1 Run
Gabriel Rodriguez 2-4 1 HR 1 RBI 1 Run