EASTLAKE, Ohio – In Game 1 of a seven-game series, the Lake County Captains (56-49, 19-22) defeated the Dayton Dragons (57-50, 18-23) by a final score of 8-4 on Tuesday night at Classic Auto Group Park in Eastlake.
After falling behind in the first, Lake County used a six-run second inning and a combined 4.1 innings of scoreless baseball from RHP Xavier Martinez and RHP Cam Schuelke out of the bullpen to cruise to a four-run win.
It did not take long for the Dragons to strike in the first, as C Ryan McCrystal blasted a two-run homer to give Dayton an early 2-0 advantage.
But the Captains got one run back in the home half of the frame, as 1B Anthony Martinez doubled in a run to cut the deficit in half. Lake County had a prime opportunity to potentially take the lead with the bases loaded, but LF Luis De La Cruz struck out swinging to end the threat.
Dayton responded in kind in the second, as RF Mason Neville, MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 Reds prospect, lined a home run over the right field wall to restore the Dragons’ two-run advantage.
The Captains then found their offensive explosion in the bottom of the second, tacking on six runs and sending 10 batters to the plate in the frame. After loading up the bases once more, 2B Dauri Fernandez, MLB Pipeline’s No. 20 Guardians prospect, cleared the bases with a three-run triple to give Lake County the lead. SS Welbyn Francisca, MLB Pipeline’s No. 13 Guardians prospect, immediately followed with a two-run blast to give Lake County a 6-3 lead, his 14th home run of the season. De La Cruz then tied the bow on the inning with an RBI single to make it a 7-3 ballgame.
De La Cruz eventually drove in another run in the fourth, roping an RBI double to put the Captains ahead 8-3. The Dragons then rounded out the scoring in the fifth with a sacrifice fly from CF Marcus Smith, which marked Dayton’s first run since the second inning.
RHP Xavier Martinez (W, 2-0) earned the win for the Captains, throwing a pair of strikeouts in 2.1 perfect innings of relief. After beginning his night with a strikeout to end the top of the fifth inning and leave the bases loaded for the Dragons, the right-hander set down the next six Dayton hitters he faced.
RHP Andrew Shaffner (L, 0-1) suffered the loss for the visitors, surrendering four runs on five hits in an inning out of the bullpen, striking out one and walking one.
Game 2 of this week’s seven-game series between the Captains and Dragons is scheduled for Wednesday afternoon, Aug. 12, at 12:05 p.m. Lake County will host Senior Day and Ditch Work Day at the ballpark. The game will be broadcast on the Rock Entertainment Sports Network (RESN), the Bally Sports Live App, the MiLB App, and StreamGuys, with social media coverage courtesy of @LCCaptains on X and Instagram.
NOTES TO KNOW
- INF Welbyn Francisca logged a two-run home run and a double on Tuesday night. The reigning Midwest League Player of the Week has homered in each of his last four games (five home runs during span) and has logged nine home runs over his last 15 contests.
- OF Luis De La Cruz extended his hitting streak to 13 games across Lake County (seven games) and Single-A Hill City (six games) with an RBI double and an RBI single on Tuesday night. The 19-year-old is batting .373 with 19 hits, six doubles, one triple, two home runs, 13 RBI, seven stolen bases, and a 1.076 OPS during this span.
- INF Dauri Fernandez went 2-for-5 with a three-run triple in his High-A debut on Tuesday night. The 19-year-old ranked third in the Carolina League with six triples at the time of his promotion to Lake County from Single-A Hill City on Tuesday.
About the Lake County Captains:
The Lake County Captains are the professional High-A Affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians located in Eastlake, Ohio. Our mission is to honor the rich history of our organization, while also introducing baseball to a new generation of fans through innovative means. We are committed to supporting our community, sports teams, and each other by demonstrating passion and having fun every day.