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
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 lead changes, with a two-out RBI double in the bottom of the eighth inning from Wisconsin SS Cooper Pratt, MLB Pipeline’s No. 2 Milwaukee and No. 58 overall prospect, deciding the contest.
Lake County struck first in the top of the first inning when 1B Ralphy Velazquez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Cleveland and No. 72 overall prospect, smashed an RBI single on a grounder off the glove of Wisconsin 2B Jadher Areinamo, with another run scoring on the fielding error.
The Timber Rattlers countered with a three-run bottom of the first. 3B Luke Adams, MLB Pipeline’s No. 8 Milwaukee prospect, hit an RBI single, RF Yophery Rodriguez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 6 Milwaukee prospect, rolled an RBI groundout, and C Matthew Wood delivered a two-out RBI single in the ensuing at-bat.
In the top of the second, Captains RF Wuilfredo Antunez lined a two-out, game-tying RBI single. But the Timber Rattlers regained the lead in the home half of the frame when LF Hedbert Perez ripped an RBI double.
Lake County SS Angel Genao, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Cleveland and No. 87 overall prospect, re-tied the game at 4-4 with a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth. After Genao’s RBI, the Captains and Timber Rattlers pitched eight straight scoreless half-innings.
Lake County loaded the bases in the top of the seventh, but Wisconsin LHP Mark Manfredi induced an inning-ending flyout. The Captains threatened again in the top of the eighth, but Pratt robbed Genao of a go-ahead RBI single, throwing to first from shallow center field to end the half-inning.
Pratt then broke the deadlock for Wisconsin in the bottom of the eighth when his two-out, RBI double kicked off the third base bag to make it 5-4 Timber Rattlers.
In the top of the ninth, Antunez hit a lead-off single like he did in the ninth inning of Lake County’s 4-3 win in Game 1 of the Midwest League East Division Championship Series against Dayton. Wisconsin then turned a 6-4-3 double play, and RHP Tyler Bryant struck out Lake County CF Jake Fox, MLB Pipeline’s No. 26 Cleveland prospect, to end the game.
Bryant earned his second save of the postseason for Wisconsin, and RHP Dikember Sanchez (1-0) earned the win by pitching a scoreless eighth inning. Captains RHP Zach Jacobs (1-1) suffered the loss, allowing what proved to be the game-winning RBI double in the eighth inning, while fanning two in 2.1 innings of work.
After an off day on Monday, Lake County will host Wisconsin with its season on the line in Game 2 of the MWL Championship Series on Tuesday, September 17 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 p.m.
The game 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
- Since joining the Midwest League in 2010, the Captains are now 20-15 in the Midwest League Playoffs. Additionally, Lake County is now 5-5 when tied in the seventh inning or later in the postseason since 2005.
- The Captains drew 10 walks, their third-most in a postseason game since 2005.
- INF Angel Genao and INF Alex Mooney, MLB Pipeline’s No. 23 Cleveland prospect, and OF Jonah Advincula each drew three walks on Sunday night. Their three walks each are tied for the most in a Captains playoff game since 2005 with OF Bryson Myles (9/5/2012 vs. Bowling Green) and INF Milan Tolentino (9/18/2022 vs. South Bend).
- OF Jonah Advincula has now reached base in 38 of his last 44 starts. He drew at least three walks for the second time this season, and his most walks since totaling four on July 30 versus Beloit.
- RHP Carter Spivey pitched 4.2 innings of relief, replacing starter Rorik Maltrud (ND) with two outs in the top of the first inning. Spivey allowed one run on four hits, striking out four and walking three, while retiring as many as nine straight Timber Rattlers in the game.
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 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
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
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