Baseball: Captains fight back to slay the Dragons

The Lake County Captains overcame a three run deficit after five innings to gain a 9-5 come from behind victory over the Dayton Dragons on Friday night. This was only the second time this season that the Dragons have lost after leading through five innings (17-2).


The Dragons put up a run in the bottom of the first inning when Captains starter Cole Cook walked Billy Hamilton who proceeded to steal second base. A fly out moved Hamilton to third and then Dominic D'Anna delivered a single that scored Hamilton and the Dragons lead 1-0. Hamilton lead of the top of the third inning with a single and moved to third on a double by Jefry Sierra. D'Anna grounded out allowing Hamilton to score and it was 2-0. Donald Lutz led off the bottom of the fourth inning with his eighth home run of the year to make it 3-0.

The Captains tied it up at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning when Nick Bartolone singled and went to third base on a single by Carlos Moncrief. Bartolone scored when Argenis Martinez reached on an error moving Moncrief to second base. Two batters later, Jesus Aguilar doubled home Moncrief and Alex Monsalve followed with a single to score Giovanny Urshela.

Dragons got the lead back in the bottom of the sixth inning off of reliever J.D. Reichenbach when D'Anna knocked in another run with a single and David Vidal followed with a RBI single as well and it was 5-3. The Captains took the lead in the top of the seventh inning when Martinez plated a run on a ground out and Urshela singled home the tying run. The go ahead run scored when Monsalve reached on an error and then Dwight Childs walked with the bases loaded and the Captains led 7-5.

Cook took a no decision working five innings allowing three runs on eight hits, walking three and striking out two. Reichenbach (3-1) came on in the sixth inning and worked three innings to pick up the win. He allowed two unearned runs on three hits while striking out three. Nick Sarianides worked a scoreless ninth inning striking out two.

Dragons starter Daniel Renken did not get a decision either pitching six innings allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits while striking out six. Pat Doyle (2-1) took the loss lasting on .2 of an inning allowing four runs, two earned on two hits, walking two and striking out one.

The Captains and Dragons play game two of their four game series on Saturday at 7:07 PM with the Captains sending RHP Mike Goodnight (3-3 2.93) to the mound to face RHP Josh Smith (3-3, 1.91). The game can be heard on AM 1330 WELW and on the internet at captainsbaseball.com.

Individual game tickets are on sale at the Classic Park box office, online at captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Full season tickets plans, 7-, 12-, 20-, and 35-game mini ticket plans for the 2011 season are on sale now at great prices complete with several exclusive benefits. Information can be found at the Captains website www.captainsbaseball.com.