Captains sail past LumberKings

EASTLAKE, OH (July 23, 2017) - A four-run bottom of the fourth inning by the Lake County Captains was the difference in a 7-2 Clinton LumberKings loss on Sunday afternoon at Classic Park. Despite outhitting the Captains (13-16, 40-58), nine to seven, the LumberKings (12-18, 43-54) were held to just to two runs against a combination of four Lake County pitchers.
Lake County, for the second straight game, put two runs on the board in the bottom of the first inning after the first three Captains hitters of the game reached against LumberKings starter Ryne Inman. A sacrifice fly by Li-Jen Chu brought home the first run of the game for Lake County and Inman's (0-1) only wild pitch of the game brought home the second.
The game was put out of reach in the bottom of the fourth inning when the Captains rallied for four runs. Emmanuel Tapia initiated the scoring with a solo home run to right for his Midwest League leading 21^st of the season. The rally was capped when Chu drew a bases loaded walk to bring home the fourth run of the frame. The Captains sent 10 men to the plate in the inning, collecting three hits and working three walks to build a 6-0 lead.
The only runs of the game for the LumberKings were tallied in the top of the fifth. Billy Cooke drew a two out walk and was followed by singles from Luis Rengifo, Bryson Brigman, and Joe Rizzo. Brigman and Rizzo's hits went for RBI's in the LumberKings only rally of the game.
Henry Rodriguez then worked the seventh and eighth innings for the Captains to earn his fifth win of the season. In two innings of relief, Rodriguez (5-2) allowed no runs on one hit while walking none and striking out two.
The final run of the game belonged to Mitch Longo who lifted a solo homer to right against LumberKings reliever Jeffeson Medina for his fourth long fly of the year. The sixth inning home run ended Medina's scoreless inning streak at 24.2 innings, the longest by a LumberKings pitcher this season.
The LumberKings conclude their three-game series with the Lake County Captains on Monday night. Left-handed pitcher Danny Garcia (6-7, 5.72) will take the ball for Clinton and face Lake County's left-handed pitcher Brady Aiken (3-10, 3.98). First pitch is scheduled for 6:00 PM (CDT) with the pregame show beginning at 5:45 PM (CDT) on 100.3 FM WCCI Erik Oas is on the call. 
The LumberKings return home to Ashford University Field on Wednesday, July 26 for the first of three- games with the Quad Cities River Bandits. Wednesdays are "Wing Wednesdays" at Ashford University Field with 50 cent wings all game long
About the LumberKings
The LumberKings, the only remaining Charter Member of the Midwest League, are playing their 62nd season in the league and their ninth as an affiliate of the Seattle Mariners. Since the club's inception in 1937, 271 former Clinton players have made it to the Major Leagues. The LumberKings play at historic Ashford University Field located off 6th Avenue North at 537 Ballpark Drive. Tickets to all 70 home games are available by calling (563) 242-0727 or by visiting lumberkings.com