Captains collect 23 hits in 18-6 romp over Lugs

LANSING, Mich. – The Lake County Captains (12-8, 47-39) built a quick 7-0 lead, gave up six runs in a flash, and then scored 11 unanswered to rout the Lansing Lugnuts (9-13, 34-54), 18-6, in front of a crowd of 7,923 on Friday night at Jackson® Field™.

The lopsided result spoiled the Lugnuts debut for 2021 Athletics first-rounder Max Muncy who started at shortstop and batted third in the Lansing order, finishing 2-for-5 with doubles with in each of his first two plate appearances.

2020 A’s first-rounder Tyler Soderstrom batted cleanup and added a 2-for-4 showing with a walk, headlined by a monster three-run 444-foot homer out of the ballpark to right-center in the Lugnuts’ six-run third inning. It was his team-leading 17th homer of the year, increasing his RBI total to 64, second most in the Midwest League.

But the Captains’ offense proved too much. Left fielder Johnathan Rodriguez went 4-for-4 with two walks, a home run and five runs scored; second baseman Aaron Bracho went 3-for-5 with five RBIs, including a three-run homer; and catcher Micael Ramirez went 3-for-5 with six RBIs, with a grand slam in the ninth against an eephus from Nuts position-player-pitcher Patrick McColl.

McColl was the last of seven pitchers used by Lansing, begun by Stevie Emanuels, who lasted only 2/3 of an inning, allowing five runs on five hits and a walk. Joe DeMers tossed the next 2 1/3, allowing two unearned runs; Daniel Martinez gave up two runs on four hits in an inning-plus; Shohei Tomioka allowed one run on three hits and two walks in 1 1/3 innings; Diego Granado gave up three runs on four hits and two walks in 2 1/3 innings; and Angello Infante pitched 1/3 of an inning and allowed one hit.

For the Lugnuts, Muncy and Soderstrom were joined in having two-hit games by third baseman Jack Winkler, who singled and doubled, and left fielder Joshwan Wright, who singled and tripled.

Next up: Jurassic Weekend at Jackson® Field™ featuring inflatable and animatronic dinosaurs, a fossil dig and much more! Lefty Jack Owen (4.08 ERA) gets the start on Saturday with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch, facing Captains right-hander Aaron Davenport (4.38 ERA). For more information on Jurassic Weekend and to purchase tickets, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.

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