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Lake County Captains

Wade Leads Captains Past Timber Rattlers

May 2, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Lake County Captains News Release


(Eastlake, OH) - Austen Wade helped spark the Lake County Captains (12-12) in a 5-2 win over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (8-17) on Wednesday at Classic Park. Wade's two-run double in the fourth lifted the Captains into the lead and Lake County never looked back to beat Wisconsin and snap a three-game losing streak.

The Timber Rattlers struck first in the fourth inning on an RBI single by Devin Hairston, but the Captains quickly turned the tables. In the bottom of the fourth, Lake County put runners on first and second base with one out against Wisconsin starter Christian Taugner. Taugner nearly escaped the inning by striking out Gian Paul Gonzalez for the second out, but Jorma Rodriguez came up next and delivered a big hit. Rodriguez slapped a ground ball single into right field that scored Tyler Friis from second with the game-tying run. Wade followed with a ringing two-run double to the left-centerfield gap, scoring both Todd Isaacs and Rodriguez to give the Captains their first lead of the series, 3-1.

Captains starter Kirk McCarty held the Timber Rattlers' bats in check through the first five innings. The lefty worked around three walks in the third inning and then left the bases loaded following Hairston's RBI single and two walks in the fourth. McCarty finished his day with a perfect fifth and the Timber Rattlers did not score again until the seventh inning.

Felix Tati relieved McCarty in the sixth and worked a one-two-three frame. In the seventh, however, the Timber Rattlers pulled within one run when Brent Diaz led off the frame with a home run to right field, cutting the Captains' lead to 3-2.Tati worked around further trouble in the inning and kept the Captains in front. Zach Clark singled with one out and moved to second with two outs when he tagged up from first on a fly ball to right field. Tati, however, struck out Pat McInerney to end the inning.

Lake County answered the bell in the bottom of the seventh with a pair of insurance runs. Wade and Nolan Jones worked back-to-back walks against right-hander Robbie Hitt. Will Benson then flied out to deep centerfield and the runners alertly tagged up and moved to third and second base, respectively. Hitt struck out Oscar Gonzalez, but Jose Vicente came up next and hit a soft grounder to deep shortstop. Gilbert Lara fielded on the backhand, but could not fire to first base in time. Vicente reached on an infield single and Wade scored. Friis then hit a grounder that McInerney booted at first base, allowing Jones to score and give Lake County a 5-2 lead.

Wade led all Captains hitters by reaching base in four of his five plate appearances. The left-handed hitter went 2-for-3 with a two-run double, two walks, a run scored and a stolen base.

McCarty (1-1) ultimately earned the win. The left-hander struck out a career-high eight batters in five innings, though he also walked a career-high five men. McCarty allowed one run on three hits in the winning effort. Tati earned his first save of the year, holding Wisconsin to one run over four innings. He struck out five, walked one and surrendered three hits.

Taugner (0-4) suffered the loss for the Timber Rattlers. The right-hander pitched five innings and gave up three runs on eight hits. He struck out four and walked one.

The Captains and Timber Rattlers have evened their series at one game apiece and will play the rubber game on Thursday night. First pitch at Classic Park is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.

Information about Classic Park or the Captains can be found online at www.captainsbaseball.com and by phone at 440-954-WINS (9467). Affordable ticket packages and group party and picnic options are available now.

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