Planchart’s Career Day Pushes Captains to Win in Completion of Suspended Game

EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the completion of the fourth of an initially scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (18-21, 49-55) defeated the South Bend Cubs (18-22, 48-57) by a final score of 7-6 on Sunday afternoon at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake.

Following a one hour and six-minute rain delay, Friday’s game was suspended with one out in the bottom of the second inning. The game was supposed to be completed on Saturday, but was postponed due to rain, and Saturday’s originally scheduled game was cancelled.

In today’s completion of the suspended game, Victor Planchart had a career day at the plate. The 22-year-old tied his career-high of 3 hits, finishing 3-for-4 with a ground-rule double, a home run, and a career-high 4 RBI.

Planchart’s three-run home run in the bottom of the 4^th inning was his first career High-A home run, and his first since August 13^th, 2022. The switch-hitting catcher also recorded a two-out RBI single in the bottom of the 2^nd inning, as he finished a triple shy of the first cycle in Captains history.

After Dayan Frias, Cleveland’s No. 25 prospect according to MLB.com, led off the bottom of the 5^th inning with a double, Yordys Valdes hit an RBI bunt single to give Lake County a 6-3 lead.

One inning later, Kahlil Watson, Cleveland’s No. 16 prospect according to MLB.com, hit a sacrifice fly for the Captains’ final run of the game. In the ensuing plate appearance, Chase DeLauter, Cleveland’s No. 4 and MLB’s No. 91 prospect according to MLB.com, hit a single to extend his hitting streak to 5 games.

Reid Johnston (6-5) entered the game in relief today to begin the 3^rd inning. The right-hander earned his first win since June 18^th, pitching 4 innings, allowing 6 hits, 3 earned runs, and one walk, and throwing 5 strikeouts in 78 pitches (52 strikes). After beginning the 4^th inning with his 4^th strikeout of the game, Johnston allowed 4 consecutive hits, the last 2 of which were an RBI double and a two-run single.

Alaska Abney then entered the game, permitting a two-run double in the top of the 7^th inning. The right-hander pitched 2 innings, allowing 2 hits, 2 earned runs, and one walk, while throwing one strikeout.

Eventually, Lenny Torres Jr. entered the game with his 8^th save opportunity of the season. After allowing a leadoff double and an RBI groundout, the right-hander earned his 7^th save of the year with a game-ending strikeout, his only strikeout of the game.

On Friday night, Cooper Ingle hit an RBI double in the bottom of the 2^nd inning for his first career professional double and RBI, driving in the game’s first run. Additionally, starting pitcher Ryan Webb made his first appearance since June 16^th. After being placed on the 7-day injured list on June 19^th, the left-hander pitched 2 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and throwing 2 strikeouts in 28 pitches (20 strikes).