Lake County’s Five-Run 7th Inning Helps Snap Six-Game Skid in Series Opener

EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the first of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (16-20, 47-54) defeated the South Bend Cubs (17-20, 47-55) by a final score of 7-5 on Tuesday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake.

This marks Lake County’s first win in the month of August this season, and snaps a season-long six-game losing streak for the Captains.

After falling behind by 3 runs twice, the Captains scored 5 runs in the 7^th inning to give themselves a 7-5 lead, which they did not relinquish.

After Yordys Valdes struck out to begin the home half of the frame, the next three Lake County hitters reached base. Jorge Burgos hit a single, which was followed by a walk from Will Bartlett and a hit-by-pitch taken by Zac Fascia, which loaded the bases. Earlier in the game, Burgos was responsible for the game’s first run with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the 2^nd inning. Additionally, Fascia recorded an RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the 5^th inning.

Then, Jake Fox, Cleveland’s No. 7 prospect according to MLB.com, drew a bases-loaded walk to cut Lake County’s deficit to 5-3. In the ensuing at-bat, Kahlil Watson, Cleveland’s No. 14 prospect according to MLB.com, hit a two-run single to tie the game at 5-5. After being acquired from Miami on August 1^st, the 20-year-old finished 1-for-4 at the plate with 2 RBI in his home debut as a Captain.

Eventually, with two outs in the half-inning, Dayan Frias, Cleveland’s No. 26 prospect according to MLB.com, hit a go-ahead two-run single, giving Lake County their first lead since the bottom of the 2^nd inning. This hit gave him his 45^th and 46^th RBI of the season, extending his team lead.

After Trenton Denholm (3-3) allowed a leadoff single to begin the 9^th inning, Lenny Torres Jr. entered the game with his 7^th save opportunity of the season. The right-hander earned his 6^th save of the year, allowing one walk and throwing 2 strikeouts in a scoreless frame of work.

Captains starting pitcher Steve Hajjar did not record a decision. After retiring the first 7 hitters he faced, the left-hander allowed 4 consecutive hits, the last 2 of which were an RBI single and a two-run double. Hajjar then forced a groundout before surrendering another two-run double. In all, the 23-year-old pitched 2.2 innings, allowing 5 hits, 4 earned runs, and zero walks, while throwing 4 strikeouts in 56 pitches (35 strikes).

Alaska Abney and Sergio Morillo combined to pitch 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings of relief, with Morillo allowing a hit-by-pitch and throwing 2 strikeouts. Abney and Morillo extended their scoreless innings streaks to 7.1 and 5.2, respectively. Eventually, Trenton Denholm pitched 3 innings of relief, allowing 3 hits and one walk, while throwing 3 strikeouts in 54 pitches (38 strikes). The right-hander permitted just one earned run, which was courtesy of an RBI groundout in the top of the 7^th inning.

First pitch for Game 2 of this week’s scheduled six-game series between the Captains and Cubs is scheduled for tomorrow afternoon at 12:05 PM. It will be “Spectacular Senior Day” at the ballpark. Coverage of the game can be found on both the Bally Live app and MiLB.tv, as well as through @LCCaptains on both X and Instagram.