The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Captains top Dragons for first three-game sweep
The won-lost record is what it is, but the Captains are enjoying the here and now as the first half of the Midwest League season nears an end.
With a 5-2 victory over Dayton on June 7 at Classic Park, the Captains swept the three-game series from the Dragons. It was the first three-game sweep of the season for the Captains, who improved to 25-35. Dayton slipped to 29-29 with the loss.
The Captains used solid pitching and power hitting to down the Dragons in thoroughly pleasant weather.
On the mound, the piggyback See a photo gallery from the game. MEDIA.NEWS-HERALD.COM.
duo of Jean Carlos Mejia and Francisco Perez was impressive.
Mejia, activated on June 7 after a six-week stint on the disabled list with arm soreness, worked the first four innings. The 21-yearold right-hander from the Dominican Republic surrendered two runs on three hits in four innings. He finished with five strikeouts and yielded one walk.
Captains manager Luke Carlin said Mejia was on a 65-pitch limit for his first game action since April 13. He threw 55 pitches, 37 for strikes.
“I was excited to see Mejia back on the bump after not pitching for so long,” Carlin said. “He worked hard when he was out and did a good job tonight.”
Perez, sharing starts with Mejia, blanked the Dragons over five innings on three hits. He notched three strikeouts and issued two walks. The 21-yearold left-hander, also from the Dominican Republic, upped his record to 4-3 and lowered his ERA to 3.59 while earning the victory.
At the plate, first baseman Jose Vicente twice flexed his power stroke. The 22-year-old native of the Dominican Republic connected for a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning off Dayton starter and eventual loser Packy Naughton (3-6, 5.09 ERA). He added a solo shot in the bottom of the sixth off Dayton reliever Austin Orweiler.
Vicente also doubled and is batting .269 with seven home runs and 16 RBI.
Lake County right fielder Oscar Gonzalez got to Naughton for a two-run home run in the top of the first inning. Gonzales is batting .274 with nine home runs and 28 RBI.
It was a banner day, too, for Captains outfielder Will Benson and relief pitchers Tommy DeJuneas and Kyle Nelson. On June 7, the Midwest League offense announced they will be on the Eastern Division team for the MWL All-Star Game in Lansing, Mich. on June 19.