Eastlake, OH- After taking the first game of the double header on Saturday 8-0, the Lake County Captains were looking to advance to 40-34 against the Lansing Lugnuts (26-47) in game 2. LHP Doug Nikhazy (2-3, 3.38 ERA) was on the mound for Lake County while LHP Jack Owen (3-4, 3.57 ERA) drew the start from the Lugnuts.
Nikhazy breezed through the top of the 1st inning for the Captains, and it looked is if Owen was going to do the same for the Lugnuts in the bottom of the 1st, but with 2 outs Lake County RF Johnathon Rodriguez hit a double to center. Next up was Petey Halpin again hitting clean up, and he didn't disappoint with a single up the middle to score Rodriguez giving the Captains a 1-0 lead.
The top of the 2nd saw Lugnuts 3B Jack Winkler double to start off the inning, then SS Euribiel Angeles singled to have runners at the corners. C Matt Cross hit a moon shot that landed just over the right field wall for a 3-run home run and gave the Lugnuts the lead 3-1.
Back to back singles to start the bottom of the 2nd for Lake County by 2B Milan Tolentino and DH Connor Kokx. A double play ball by C Micael Ramirez advanced Tolentino to third. LF Quentin Holmes rocketed a grounded past the 2nd baseman, scoring Tolentino. It was the lone run of the inning, but cut into Lansing's lead trailing now 3-2.
After a single by Captains SS Angel Martinez in the bottom of the 4th with 2 outs, the Lugnuts relieved Owen with LHP Kumar Nambiar (4-1, 4.23 ERA) who was able to get 1B Joe Naranjo to fly out to end the inning.
1B Patrick McColl started the top of the 5th with a double for the Lugnuts. He then advanced to third of a wild pitch by Nikhazy. C Matt Cross then hit a deep sacrifice fly to center scoring McColl. extending the lead to 4-2.
Doug Nikhazy was pulled after 5.1 innings, giving up 4 runs with 5 strikeouts. Zach Hart (4-1, 4.76 ERA) came in to try and end the inning and after a double play ball turned by Milan Tolentino playing 2nd base today, he did just that.
Trayson Kubo came in the game for Lansing in the Bottom of the 7th (double headers are 7 innings in High A) and loaded the bases in a 4-2 game with 2 outs, unfortunately Milan Tolentino struck out to end the game, and Lansing took the win. The Lugnuts improve to 27-47 on the season.
After the game Coach Dicenzo talked about Boone and Nikhazy's pitching in both games, the confidence the players are gaining, and the balance of minor league ball.
The Captains and Lugnuts split the double header, but are at it for the series finale tomorrow, which will be the last time Lansing plays at Classic Park this season. Game starts at 5:15 PM on Sunday and is also fireworks night in Lake County. As of right now the pitchers are TBD.
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