Captains Win Second Midwest League Title With 9-4 Victory Over Timber Rattlers
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (4-1) won their second Midwest League title in franchise history with a 9-4 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-2) on Wednesday at Classic Auto Group Park. After falling 5-4 at Wisconsin in Game 1 of the 2024 Midwest League Championship
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (4-1) won their second Midwest League title in franchise history with a 9-4 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-2) on Wednesday at Classic Auto Group Park.
After falling 5-4 at Wisconsin in Game 1 of the 2024 Midwest League Championship Series this past Sunday, Lake County won the final two games best-of-three set at home to take the series 2-1.
The Captains were propelled by a five-run bottom of the sixth inning on Wednesday night.
With the game tied at 1-1 after a solo home run by RF Jonah Advincula one inning prior, the first four Lake County hitters reached base. SS Angel Genao, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Cleveland and No. 87 overall prospect, hit a leadoff double, and was brought home on a go-ahead RBI double from DH Wuilfredo Antunez in the ensuing at-bat.
After 3B Alex Mooney, MLB Pipeline’s No. 23 Cleveland prospect, drew a walk, CF Jake Fox, MLB Pipeline’s No. 26 Cleveland prospect, hit an RBI double to extend the Captains’ lead to 3-1. Then, in the next at-bat, 1B Ralphy Velazquez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Cleveland and No. 72 overall prospect, hit a three-run home run to make it a 6-1 game.
Wisconsin, however, cut its deficit to 6-4 by scoring three runs in the top of the eighth inning.
RF Yophery Rodriguez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 Milwaukee prospect, tallied an RBI single, and CF Luis Lara, MLB Pipeline’s No. 16 Milwaukee prospect, recorded a two-out, two-run single. But with the go-ahead run at the plate, Lake County RHP Zach Jacobs induced a groundout from Timber Rattlers SS Cooper Pratt, MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 Milwaukee and No. 58 overall prospect, to end the half-frame.
The Captains then answered with a three-run inning of their own in the bottom of the eighth. Fox led off the half-inning with a solo home run, his second homer of the postseason. Then, 2B Travis Bazzana, MLB Pipeline’s No. 1 Cleveland and No. 11 overall prospect, and Genao eventually hit consecutive two-out RBI singles to round out the game’s scoring.
Lake County LHP Shawn Rapp secured the final three outs in the top of the ninth, retiring the Timber Rattlers in order. LHP Steven Perez (1-0) earned the win, allowing three earned runs and striking out a pair in two innings out of the Captains bullpen. Starter Dylan DeLucia (ND) tossed 4.2 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and one walk, while fanning five.
Wisconsin LHP Mason Molina (0-1) recorded the loss in his High-A debut, allowing three earned runs, two hits, and a walk to begin the bottom of the sixth inning. Timber Rattlers starter Will Rudy (ND) pitched five innings, allowing the solo home run by Advincula in the bottom of the fifth.
W – Steven Perez (LC) | 2.0 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
L – Mason Molina (WIS) | 0.0 IP, 2 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 K
The Captains will begin their 2025 season on the road with a six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons. First pitch for Lake County’s 2025 season opener is scheduled for Friday, April 4, 2025 from Dow Diamond in Midland, Michigan.
The Captains will then open their 2025 home schedule with a six-game series against the West Michigan Whitecaps. First pitch for Lake County’s 2025 home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8, 2025 from Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Tickets can be purchased at CaptainsBaseball.com.
All 132 of Lake County’s 2025 regular season games will be broadcast on the Bally Live app and MiLB.TV, with social media coverage courtesy of @LCCaptains on X and Instagram.
Notes to Know
- Lake County won its first Midwest League title since 2010, the team’s inaugural campaign in the league. The championship marks the 29th by a Cleveland Minor League affiliate since 1963, when the Minor Leagues reclassified.
- According to MiLB.com’s Ben Weinrib, the 2024 Captains are the first team to lead the Midwest League in both runs scored (632) and fewest runs allowed (507) during the regular season since Dayton in 2011. They are also the first to do so and win the Midwest League title since Fort Wayne in 2009.
- OF Jake Fox went 3-for-4 with a solo home run, two RBI, and two runs scored on Wednesday night. He batted .364 (8-for-22) with two homers and three RBI in the Midwest League Playoffs. His 15 total bases in the postseason are the second-most by a Midwest Leaguer since moving to High-A in 2021, trailing only then-Lake County INF Yordys Valdes (18) in 2022.
- The Captains clubbed seven home runs in the series, the most in a Midwest League postseason since both Fort Wayne and Quad Cities also hit seven in 2017.
- OF Jonah Advincula hit home runs in both Games 2 and 3. He finished the season reaching base in 40 of his last 46 starts across the regular season and postseason.
- 1B/LF Ralphy Velazquez (19 years, three months, 22 days) hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth on Wednesday night, his first home run at Classic Auto Group Park. He is the second-youngest hitter to homer in the Midwest League Championship Series since at least 2005, trailing only then-Fort Wayne OF Samuel Zavala in 2023 (19 years, one month, 29 days).
- Across Single-A Lynchburg and Lake County, INF Angel Genao finished the year with 41 doubles between the regular season and postseason, currently the third-most in Minor League Baseball.
The Lake County Captains are the High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, and have been a Class A Affiliate of Cleveland since the team was founded in 2003. To find out more information about the Captains or purchase tickets, visit CaptainsBaseball.com, or call (440) 975-8085.
GOING TO BAT FOR SMALL BUSINESS PRESENTED BY PNC RETURNS FOR 2025 LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS SEASON
EASTLAKE, Ohio – March 10, 2025 – The Lake County Captains announced that its “Going to Bat for Small Business” program will return for a second season, in collaboration with PNC Bank. The initiative is designed to bolster small businesses across Northeast Ohio. Going to Bat for Small Business presented
2024 MIDWEST LEAGUE CHAMPION LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS UNVEIL ACTION-PACKED 2025 PROMOTIONAL SCHEDULE
Highlights include 1995 Tribe Anniversary, Travis Bazzana Bobblehead, State Fair Weekend, Bubblefest & More. TICKETS ON SALE NOW EASTLAKE, OHIO – February 19th, 2025 – The Lake County Captains are excited to unveil an electrifying promotional schedule for the 2025 season, packed with can’t-miss theme nights, historic celebrations, and unforgettable
Lake County Captains Introduce New Bat Dog: Mokoro!
EASTLAKE, Ohio – The Lake County Captains are thrilled to announce Mokoro as their new bat dog for the 2025 season! Mokoro will be bringing joy to fans as she retrieves bats and balls during Thursday home games at Classic Auto Group Park alongside Victoria Brody, her owner and professional
Lake County Captains Announce 2025 Dog Days Schedule
EASTLAKE, Ohio – The Lake County Captains are excited to announce the return of their popular "Dawg Days" at Classic Auto Group Park for the 2025 season! Fans are encouraged to bring their furry friends along to enjoy the action-packed baseball season, with special opportunities to share the fun with
Lake County Captains Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In conjunction with the Cleveland Guardians, the Lake County Captains today announced their coaching staff for the 2025 season. Lake County’s staff will once again be led by Manager Omir Santos, who returns as the Captains’ skipper for his third season. Ordomar Valdez returns as Lake County’s
Lake County Captains Named 2024 Baseball America MiLB Team of the Year
EASTLAKE, OH – Baseball America announced today that the Lake County Captains, the High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, have been named their 2024 MiLB Team of the Year. The Captains finished the regular season with a record of 77-53 (.592), compiling the highest percentage in the Midwest League and
Two Captains Named to 2024 All-MiLB Prospect Second Team
EASTLAKE, OH – On Monday, September 30, Minor League Baseball announced its 2024 All-MiLB Prospect Teams during the 2024 MiLB Awards Show on MLB Network. Two Lake County Captains garnered Second Team honors for the 2024 campaign. SS Angel Genao, MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Cleveland and No. 72 overall prospect,
LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS’ JEN YORKO MAKES HISTORY AS THE FIRST FEMALE GENERAL MANAGER TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP IN MIDWEST LEAGUE HISTORY
Eastlake, OH – The Lake County Captains, the High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians, are proud to announce that General Manager Jen Yorko has made history as the first female General Manager to win a Midwest League Championship. Yorko, who has been with the organization since 2007, led the Captains
Four Captains Named 2024 Midwest League All-Stars, Cooper Ingle Named Most Valuable Player
EASTLAKE, OH – On Thursday, September 19, Minor League Baseball announced its High-A All-Star Teams for the 2024 season. Four Lake County Captains were named Midwest League All-Stars for the 2024 campaign. C Cooper Ingle, MLB Pipeline’s No. 13 Cleveland prospect, SS Angel Genao, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Cleveland and
Captains win first Midwest League crown since 2010
It had been 14 years since the Lake County Captains won the championship. But after one of the most dominant seasons in Midwest League history, the Guardians' High-A affiliate ousted the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers with a 9-4 victory on Wednesday in a winner-take-all Game 3 at Classic Auto Group Park.
Captains Sink Timber Rattlers 6-2, Force Winner-Take-All Game 3 for Midwest League Title
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (3-1) scored five unanswered runs to outlast the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-1) by a score of 6-2 on Tuesday night at Classic Auto Group Park. With the victory, the Captains have now forced a third game to decide the 2024 Midwest
Captains Host Timber Rattlers for Game 2 of 2024 MWL Championship Series With Season on the Line
EASTLAKE, OH – Trailing 1-0 in the best-of-three set, the Lake County Captains (77-53) (2-1) will host the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-0) for Game 2 of the 2024 Midwest League Championship Series Classic Auto Group Park on Tuesday at 6:35 p.m The Captains seek to win Game 2 and
Timber Rattlers Outlast Captains in Game 1 of Midwest League Championship Series
GRAND CHUTE, WI – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (2-1) fell by a score of 5-4 to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (77-54) (3-0) in Game 1 of the Midwest League Championship Series on Sunday night at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium. The game featured two ties and four
Captains Advance to Midwest League Championship Series With 5-4 Win Over Dragons
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) (2-0) scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat the Dayton Dragons (74-58) (0-2) by a score of 5-4, advancing to their fourth Midwest League Championship Series in franchise history, and second in the last three seasons. 2B
Cardiac Captains Defeat Dragons 4-3 in Game 1 of Midwest League East Division Championship Series
DAYTON, OH – With the Lake County Captains (77-53) (1-0) leading the Dayton Dragons (74-58) (0-1) 4-3 in the bottom of the ninth, LHP Shawn Rapp inherited runners on the corners with no outs. The left-hander got a swinging strikeout, a successful play at the plate from 1B Ralphy Velazquez
Captains and Dragons Meet in 2024 Midwest League East Division Championship Series
DAYTON, OH – The Lake County Captains (77-53) and Dayton Dragons (74-58), the High-A Affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds, meet in a best-of-three series for the Midwest League East Division title and a trip to the Midwest League Championship Series starting Tuesday at 7:05 p.m. from Day Air Ballpark in
Captain of the Week (8/27-9/1): Wuilfredo Antunez
EASTLAKE, OH – After each series this season, the Lake County Captains will spotlight a Captain of the Week, presented by Official League, showcasing a player and their strong performance over the previous week. For the week of August 27 through September 1, Lake County is recognizing OF Wuilfredo Antunez
Captains Outpower Kernels 6-3 in Final 2024 Regular-Season Home Game
EASTLAKE, OH – The Lake County Captains (32-26, 73-51) slugged three home runs to beat the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-33, 64-60) 6-3 in their final regular-season home game on Sunday at Classic Auto Group Park. The Captains won this week’s series 4-2, and the season series 8-4. Lake County scored
Rivas’s Walk-Off RBI Single Leads Captains to 4-3 Win Over Kernels
EASTLAKE, OH – In the fifth game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (31-26, 72-51) defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-32, 64-59) by a score of 4-3 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. With the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the ninth
Velazquez and Mooney Power Captains to 7-4 Win Over Kernels
EASTLAKE, OH – In the fourth game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (30-26, 71-51) defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-31, 64-58) by a score of 7-4 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Captains LF Ralphy Velazquez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Cleveland and No. 75 overall
Bazzana Doubles Twice, Captains Fall to Kernels 5-2
EASTLAKE, OH – In the third game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (29-26, 70-51) fell to the Cedar Rapids Kernels (27-29, 64-57) by a score of 5-2 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Lake County’s only scoring of the night came in the bottom of
Malmö Oat Milkers’ Comeback Comes Up Short in 7-5 Loss to Cedar Rapids
EASTLAKE, OH – The Malmö Oat Milkers (29-25, 70-50) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but fell short in a 7-5 loss versus the Cedar Rapids Kernels (26-29, 63-57) at Classic Auto Group Park. In the bottom of the ninth, Oat Milkers C Johnny Tincher and LF
Captains Defeat Kernels in Rain-Shortened Series Opener
EASTLAKE, OH – In the first game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (29-24, 70-49) defeated the Cedar Rapids Kernels (25-30, 62-57) by a score of 5-2 on Tuesday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. The game was declared official after the top of the
Captain of the Week (8/20-8/25): Dylan DeLucia
EASTLAKE, OH – After each series this season, the Lake County Captains will spotlight a Captain of the Week, presented by Official League, showcasing a player and their strong performance over the previous week. For the week of August 20 through 25, Lake County is recognizing RHP Dylan DeLucia as