Ill Wind Blows as Captains Sink Silver Hawks 2-0 in Twelve Innings

Published on April 27, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


It was a windy afternoon at Four Winds Field thanks to Mother Nature and the Silver Hawks pitching staff as they combined to fan 18 Captains. However, with the Hawks unable to muster any offensive fire power, they eventually succumbed to the Captains in the 12th inning. The Captains scored the only runs of the game with a two-spot in the top of the 12th enroute to winning the finale of the three game series.

Hawks starter Aaron Blair struck out 12 over seven innings of masterful work while only giving up one hit. After 6 and 2/3 innings, Blair gave up a bloop single to designated hitter Anthony Santander as the ball just barely cleared the outstretched arm of second baseman Jamie Westbrook. It was Santander who also broke up Blake Perry's no-hitter after 6 and 2/3 innings on Friday night.

The pitching staff of the Lake County Captains, Class-A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, kept the Hawks marooned all afternoon. Starter Caleb Hamrick went 5 and 2/3 scoreless innings, striking out 5 while only allowing 3 hits. Hamrick was spelled by Jordan Milbreth, who tossed 4 and 1/3 scoreless innings of relief while striking out four Hawks. Wander Beras (W, 1-0) entered in the 11th and sat the Hawks down in order, recording the win. Then Ben Heller (S, 1) closed the door on any South Bend threat in the 12th to seal the Captains victory.

The best scoring opportunity for the South Bend Silver Hawks, Class-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks, came in the bottom of the sixth inning. Shortstop Andrew Velazquez led off the frame with a single to right just past a diving Nellie Rodriguez at first. Left fielder Stryker Trahan flied out to left, but the throw back to the infield allowed Velazquez to move up to second. With two outs, first baseman Daniel Palka was intentionally walked. Then during third baseman Joe Munoz's at bat, a wild pitch advanced Velazquez to third and Palka to second. Munoz was then walked to load the bases. However, the Hawks were unable to light up the scoreboard as catcher Michael Perez's lofty fly ball into left field was caught after Cody Ferrell battled the wind gusting up to 22 knots.

The Captains were finally able to get to the Hawks bullpen in the top of the 12 inning. Rodriguez led off the inning with a rocket, off reliever Jose Jose (L, 0-1) that ricocheted off the top of the left field wall. Santander followed with a double down the left field line and into the Captains bullpen to put two runners into scoring position. Kyle Schepel entered in relief of Jose, but was unable to stop the Captains rally. Paul Hendrix who had entered as a pinch runner for Rodriguez scored on a single to left by right fielder Josh McAdams. Ferrell put the Captains ahead 2-0 with a single to right that scored Santander. Heller entered for the Captains in the bottom of the 12th and after allowing a lead-off walk to Perez, retired the next three Hawks to give Lake County the 2-0 victory in extra innings.

The Silver Hawks begin a seven game road trip on Monday in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where they will take on the Bowling Green Hot Rods, the Class-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays.

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Midwest League Stories from April 27, 2014


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