Gabriel Rodriguez Delivers Second Walk-Off of Series, as Captains Win 6-5 in 10 Innings

(EASTLAKE, OH) – The Lake County Captains (53-45) defeated the Great Lakes Loons (60-40) by a score of 6-5 in 10 innings, in the fourth of a six-game series at Classic Park.

In the top of the first, Great Lakes shortstop Eddys Leonard began the scoring with a solo home run. The Loons would score another run in the top of the second, after left fielder Harold Restituyo flew into a fielder’s choice, making the score 2-0 through two innings.

After a scoreless third, the Loons put up three runs, which included RBI doubles from Austin Gauthier (his first High-A hit this season) and Restituyo (his first High-A double this season), increasing their lead to 5-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

The Captains would then respond with three runs of their own in the bottom of the fourth. Lake County had an RBI single from third baseman Milan Tolentino and a two-run double from Korey Holland, which extended his hitting streak to eight games, to cut their deficit to 5-3 heading into the fifth inning.

After Captains starting pitcher Doug Nikhazy loaded the bases in the fifth, relief pitcher Alaska Abney would record the final two outs without allowing a run to keep the score at 5-3 going into the bottom of the fifth.

Nikhazy, who recorded his fourth straight no-decision, allowed five earned runs and four hits, while tying a season-high with six walks and striking out five.

In the bottom of the fifth, recently called up Great Lakes reliever River Ryan made his High-A debut. Ryan would strike out three Captains hitters in the half-inning, the last of whom was Tolentino. He would then be ejected from the game for arguing balls and strikes, and Captains manager Greg DiCenzo would also be tossed before the start of the sixth inning.

Following a scoreless sixth from both sides, Lake County relief pitcher Mason Hickman would enter the game. He would throw three perfect innings, striking out six. The bottom of the seventh saw Alexfri Planez hit a solo home run off of Ryan, his only hit and run surrendered of the night, to push Lake County’s deficit to 5-4 through seven innings. Ryan finished with eight strikeouts in four innings pitched.

Then, a scoreless eighth and top of the ninth would give the Captains a chance to tie the game. Catcher Mike Amditis would do so with his first home run of the season, a solo shot off, to tie the game at five through nine innings, causing Loons reliever Jeff Belge to blow his first save of the season.

In the tenth, Lake County reliever Jordan Jones would strike out a pair in a scoreless inning of relief, recording the win in the process. In the bottom half of the inning, Gabriel Rodriguez, who entered the game as a substitute following Tolentino’s ejection, would hit a sacrifice fly to center field off Loons reliever Cole Duensing to win the game.

Game five of Lake County’s series against Great Lakes is tomorrow night, Saturday, August 6, with first pitch at 7:00 PM. Tomorrow is also Cleveland Sports History Night, which will feature special appearances from multiple guests. More information about tomorrow night’s promotion can be found here.

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