Lake County Sentinel
Captains extend first place lead with 7-5 win over Kernels
BY TIM SHIRER
CAPTAINS BEAT WRITER
(EASTLAKE, OH) - Tuesday Night the first place Lake County Captains returned home to take on the Cedar Rapids Kernels at Classic Park. The Captains finished up their six-game road trip Sunday heading into the day one game out of first place but swept the West Michigan Whitecaps in a doubleheader to retake first place with a one game lead. The lead increased to two as the Captains held on to defeat the Kernels 7-5 sending the crowd of 1,712 home happy.
The Captains struck for three runs in the second inning off Kernel’s starter Travis Adams to take an early lead. The fun began for Lake County with one out and Connor Kokx hit a ground rule double to right field. Gabriel Rodriguez then singled and moved Kokx to third base. Korey Holland then followed with a double driving home Kokx and moving Rodriguez to third base. The big blow in the inning came next with the third double of the inning, this one off the bat of Mike Amditis driving in Rodriguez and Holland.
Meanwhile Captains starter Doug Nikhazy breezed through six scoreless innings scattering a measly three hits, striking out nine Kernel’s and issuing two base on balls.
The Captains added three more runs in the sixth inning reliever Tyler Palm who entered the game to start the inning in relief of Adams. His night did not last long. Kokx singled to lead off the inning followed by a stolen base, his eighth of the season. Rodriguez then drew a base on balls. After striking out Holland with Amditis at the plate Kokx and Rodriguez stole second and third base for their ninth and third respectively. Kernel’s catcher then allowed a passed ball on ball four to Amditis and Kokx scored and Amditis moved to second, Rodriguez to third. Zac Fascia then singled to centerfield scoring Rodriguez and Amditis giving the Captains a 6-0 lead.
The Kernels finally got on the board in the top of the seventh inning with three runs off Captains reliever Lenny Torres. He gave up two hits, both home runs and issued two base on balls in two thirds of an inning.
The Captains added a single run in when Rodriguez was driven home by Planez.
The Kernel’s attempted a feudal rally in the top of the ninth inning with two runs but that was not enough.
Nikhazy picked up the win for Lake County and improves to 4-4 with a 3.16 ERA. Adams took the loss and falls to 0-3 with a 6.64.
Wednesday the Captains and Kernels will play game two of the six game series at 6:35 pm. Sean Mooney will be on the mound for the Kernels. Money, a righthander is 2-2 with a 2.50 ERA. Jack Leftwich will tow the rubber for Lake County. Leftwich, also a righthander is 3-0 with a 2.48 ERA. .
tshirer@lakecountysentinel.com or follow Tim on Twitter @TBBucsTim Check out our IndiansNation fan Page
POSTED 08/23/2022 21:30
Lake County Captains Pitcher Doug Nikhazy. Photo by Tim Shirer
