Pitching, defense carry Captains

There aren’t many 1-0 games anymore in professional baseball.

When you get one, and it’s well played, it’s best to savor the moment.

The Captains and Great Lakes (Mich.) Loons played that game at Classic Park on July 29.

Lake County prevailed, 1-0, much to the liking of Captains manager Luke Carlin and third baseman Nolan Jones.

“That was exciting,” Carlin said. “Managing a 1-0 game is a lot of fun. There are so many factors to be considered. It’s great for the players, too, because it’s high-leverage. That really helps their development.”

As the score would indicate, the pitching by both teams was first-rate.

Lake County starter and eventual winner Francisco Perez (8-7, 3.85 ERA) was in nearly complete command. In six innings, the 21-yearold right-hander from the Dominican Republic had six strikeouts and didn’t allow a hit until Loons left fielder Josh McLain singled with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.

The Captains made plenty of nice plays in the field to support the pitching. Jones made a couple of nice picks at third base, then combined with shortstop Elvis Perez and first baseman Jose Medina on a rare 5-6-3 ground out in the top of the seventh.

Leading off the frame, Great Lakes right fielder Romer Cuadrado rifled a hard grounder into the hole between third base and shortstop. Jones made a diving attempt at the ball,