Four-Run Ninth Inning, Completes Captains Comeback

(LANSING, MI) – The Lake County Captains (48-40) took the three-game and season series against the Lansing Lugnuts (35-55) following a 6-3 comeback win on a cloudy Sunday afternoon at Jackson Field.

Doug Nikhazy made his first Sunday start of the season and struck out the side to begin his day. Despite permitting four walks, the southpaw did not allow a run over 3.1 innings.

Lake County took an early advantage after Johnathan Rodriguez smacked a double to deep left-center field, scoring Petey Halpin from first who reached via a single in the top of the second.

Jaime Arias and Raymond Burgos combined for 2.2 innings keeping the Lugnuts off the board. Lansing starter Blake Beers allowed only one run over six innings.

In the seventh, the Captains tacked on another run, Aaron Bracho with two outs lined a ball into right field to score Gabriel Rodriguez.

The Lugnuts finally plated runs and took the lead in the seventh. Back-to-back singles led off the inning. With one out, Kevin Richards grounded a ball up the middle to score a run. Max Muncy then smoked a two-run triple off the center field wall to bring the score to 3-2, all this came off Zach Hart.

Lake County stranded two runners in the eighth and were down to their final two outs in the ninth. Gabriel Rodriguez and Aaron Bracho delivered singles and Micael Ramirez then walked to load the bases.

Connor Kokx stepped up and was hit by a pitch, to tie the game. Milan Tolentino gave the Captains the lead roping a double to right-center field. A Joe Naranjo sacrifice fly to left field gave Lake County four runs in the ninth and a three-run lead. The Captains handed Kumar Nambiar his second loss of 2022.

Trey Benton threw a 1-2-3 eighth and allowed just one baserunner in the ninth to finish the victory.

Today’s win marked the Captains’ fifteenth come-from-behind win and their third win when trailing after the eighth inning.

Following an off day, the Captains continue their road trip beginning a six-game series in South Bend, Indiana against the Cubs on Tuesday, July 26. First pitch is at 7:05 p.m.

Coverage of the game can be found on WJCU.org/Captains and the MiLB First Pitch app.