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
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 and C Jacob Cozart, and another swinging strikeout to win Game 1 of the 2024 Midwest League East Championship Series on Tuesday at Day Air Ballpark.
Rapp earned the save, while RHP Zach Jacobs (1-0) garnered the win with 2.1 scoreless, hitless innings of relief. Dragons RHP Simon Miller (0-1) tallied the loss, allowing three runs in the top of the ninth.
Lake County entered the top of the ninth with just one run on two hits.
But RF Wuilfredo Antunez and CF Jake Fox, MLB Pipeline’s No. 26 Cleveland prospect, each roped a single to put runners on first and second with one out in the half-inning. Then, Velazquez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 4 Cleveland and No. 72 overall prospect, mashed a game-tying RBI double. In the ensuing at-bat, Cozart, MLB Pipeline’s No. 12 Cleveland prospect ripped a go-ahead, two-run single to give the Captains a 4-3 lead.
Lake County LHP Matt Wilkinson (ND), MLB Pipeline’s No. 30 Cleveland prospect, and Dayton RHP Ryan Cardona (ND) dueled on the rubber. Wilkinson spun 5.2 innings, allowing an earned run on a game-tying RBI single from CF Jay Allen II in the top of the fifth, and an unearned run when SS Leo Balcazar, MLB Pipeline’s No. 29 Cincinnati prospect, scored on a Jacobs wild pitch in the top of the sixth.
Cardona pitched seven innings and threw a season-high 100 pitches. His lone run allowed came from a solo homer by SS Angel Genao, MLB Pipeline’s No. 5 Cleveland and No. 87 overall prospect, in the second at-bat of the game. Genao has now hit safely in 54 of 66 games as a Captain.
After an off day on Wednesday, the Captains will host Game 2 of the 2024 Midwest League East Division Championship Series on Thursday, September 12 at 6:35 p.m. from Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake.
The contest will be an MiLB Free Game of the Day, and will be broadcast for free on MLB.com. It will also be broadcast on the Bally Live app and MiLB.TV, with social media coverage courtesy of @LCCaptains on X and Instagram.
Notes to Know
- Across the regular season and postseason, Lake County now has eight wins when trailing in the ninth inning. Its seven such wins during the regular season ranked tied for second in Minor League Baseball with Double-A Tulsa (Los Angeles – NL).
- The Captains are now 19-14 in the Midwest League Playoffs dating back to their 2010 MWL Championship season, the team’s inaugural year in the league.
- Between the 2024 NCAA Tournament and Midwest League Playoffs, C Jacob Cozart is batting .406 (13-for-32) with eight RBI. His go-ahead two-run single in the top of the ninth gave him the first two RBI of his professional career.
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.
Game 4 of Loons-Captains Series Postponed Due to Rain
EASTLAKE, Ohio – Tonight’s fourth game of a scheduled six-game series between the Lake County Captains (10-8) and the Great Lakes Loons (10-8) has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will make up this contest as part of a seven-inning doubleheader on Saturday, April 26. First pitch for
Loons Survive Captains’ Late-Game Rally in 3-1 Defeat
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the third game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (10-8) fell to the Great Lakes Loons (10-8) by a final score of 3-1 on Thursday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. After scoring just one run through the game’s first eight
Kennedy, DeLucia Combine for Captains Shutout in Win Over Loons
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the second game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (10-7) defeated the Great Lakes Loons (9-8) by a final score of 4-0 on Wednesday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Captains LHP Michael Kennedy (1-0) and RHP Dylan DeLucia (SV) shined,
Loons’ Big Home Runs Lead to 9-3 Captains Defeat
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the first game of a scheduled six-game series, the Lake County Captains (9-7) fell to the Great Lakes Loons (9-7) by a final score of 9-3 on Tuesday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. The Loons kicked off the scoring for the evening with
Captain of the Week (4/15-4/20): Josh Hartle
EASTLAKE, Ohio – 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 April 15 through 20, Lake County is recognizing LHP Josh Hartle as
Captain of the Week (4/8-4/13): Jose Devers
EASTLAKE, Ohio – 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 April 8 through 13, Lake County is recognizing INF Jose Devers as
Captains Use Seventh Inning Avalanche to Defeat Whitecaps
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the finale of a six-game series, the Lake County Captains (6-3) defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps (5-4) by a final score of 8-4 on Sunday afternoon at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. A six-run bottom of the seventh inning enabled the Captains to clinch their
Knapczyk’s Walk-Off RBI Single, Devers’ Historic Day Give Captains 10-Inning Win over Whitecaps
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the fifth game of a scheduled six-game set, the Lake County Captains (5-3) defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps (5-3) by a final score of 5-4 in 10 innings at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Led by a four-hit, four-RBI afternoon from SS Jose Devers, a
Velazquez’s Big Night Guides Captains to 7-3 Win over Whitecaps
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the fourth game of a scheduled six-game set, the Lake County Captains (4-3) defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps (5-2) by a final score of 7-3 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. Lake County triumphed in large part thanks to the contributions of 1B Ralphy Velazquez,
Captains Fall to Whitecaps in Rain-Shortened 11-2 Defeat
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the third game of a scheduled six-game set, the Lake County Captains (3-3) fell to the West Michigan Whitecaps (5-1) by a final score of 11-2 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. After a 30-minute rain delay, the game was officially called after five innings.
Whitecaps’ Offensive Blitz, Strong Pitching Lead to 13-1 Captains Defeat
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In the second game of a scheduled six-game set, the Lake County Captains (3-2) fell to the West Michigan Whitecaps (4-1) by a final score of 13-1 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. The Whitecaps scored the game's first run in the top of the second
Furious Fourth Inning Powers Captains to Home Opener Victory
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In their 2025 home opener, the Lake County Captains (3-1) defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps (3-1) by a score of 6-4 at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake. The Whitecaps plated the game's first run in the top half of the second inning thanks to an RBI
Lake County Captains Announce 2025 Opening Day Roster
EASTLAKE, Ohio – In conjunction with the Cleveland Guardians, the Lake County Captains today announced their Opening Day roster for the 2025 season. Seven of Cleveland’s MLB Pipeline Top 30 prospects are set to suit up for Lake County to begin the Captains’ 22nd season. OF Jaison Chourio (No. 3
LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS SEEK THE BIGGEST FANS FOR ON-FIELD ROLES THIS SUMMER
EASTLAKE, Ohio – Do you have the energy, passion, and booming voice to fire up Classic Auto Group Park? The Lake County Captains are looking for the most enthusiastic fans to join our game day crew for the 2025 season! We’re holding open tryouts for four (4) exciting roles on
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.