Naranjo Hits Third Home Run in Four Games, Captains Win 6-3

(EASTLAKE, OH) – The Lake County Captains (54-45) won the fifth of this week’s six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons (60-41) by a final score of 6-3 on a humid Saturday night at Classic Park.

Captains designated hitter Joe Naranjo led all hitters with three RBI, as his three-run home run in the bottom of the first gave Lake County an early 3-0 lead. This was Naranjo’s fifteenth home run of the season.

Soon after, Captains right fielder Alexfri Planez fouled a pitch off of his hands, which would cause him to exit the game. He would be replaced in the top of the second by right fielder Johnathan Rodriguez.

The two teams would trade scoreless innings through the second and third, before Lake County shortstop Angel Martinez brought home another run with an RBI single in the bottom of the fourth, his third straight hit to start the night.

Martinez would finish the game 3-4 with two doubles, extending his hitting and on-base streaks to 13 and 19 games, respectively.

After a scoreless fifth from both sides, Lake County left fielder Korey Holland would lead off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run, his eighth of the season, to give the Captains a 5-0 lead, and extend his hitting streak to nine straight games.

Following a scoreless seventh inning, the Loons would score three runs in the top of the eighth. Great Lakes shortstop Eddys Leonard would score on a throwing error, and center fielder Jose Ramos would hit a two-run home run, his 17th of the season, cutting Lake County’s lead to 5-3.

In the bottom of the inning, the Captains would respond with another run, courtesy of an RBI single from Rodriguez, making the score 6-3 heading into the ninth.

Lake County reliever Trey Benton would load the bases in the top of the ninth, but would eventually force a flyout to end the game, recording his fifth save as a Captain this season.

For Lake County, starting pitcher Jack Leftwich threw six scoreless innings, allowing five hits, with no walks and four strikeouts. Loons starting pitcher Ben Casparius threw four innings, allowing four earned runs and striking out six, while tying a season-high with seven hits allowed.

The final game of Lake County’s series against Great Lakes is tomorrow night Sunday, August 7, with first pitch at 7:00 PM. Tomorrow is also Princess Night and Family Fun Sunday presented by Mentor Nissan. Sunday Night Fireworks presented by Discount Drug Mart will also be on display after the game.

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