Cardenas crushes Captains’ hopes

Former Captain Ruben Cardenas, returning to Lake County after his trade to the Rays’ organization, leads the Hot Rods to a Midwest League win at Classic Park, David S. Glasier writes.

Ruben Cardenas played the role of late-inning hero Aug. 23 in his old ballpark.

Cardenas is the former Captains outfielder traded by the Indians to Tampa Bay in the July 28 deal that brought pitcher Hunter Wood and infielder Christian Arroyo to Cleveland.

Now playing for the Bowling Green (Ky.) Hot Rods, Cardenas stroked a two-out, two-run single in the top of the ninth inning that propelled his new team to a 3-2 victory over his old team in front of 6,171 fans at Classic Park.

Cardenas also had an RBI single in the top of the third inning as the Hot Rods completed a sweep of the threegame series.

For his efforts, Cardenas was given a rousing postgame reception by Bowling Green teammates. In a 16-4 rout of the Captains on Aug. 22, Cardenas had a threerun home run.

“That was pretty cool,” a smiling Cardenas said in the visitors clubhouse. “It was great getting back here and being able to contribute to a couple of big wins.”

In 84 games with Lake County, Cardenas batted .284 with 10 home runs and 54 RBI. At the time of the trade, he was batting .284 and led the Captains in home runs, RBI, hits

(91), doubles (19) and total bases (154).

Cardenas said he shattered his bat on the single to center field in the top of the ninth that ultimately made losers of the Captains and Lake County reliever Jake Meidnik (2-1, 2.51 ERA).

The comeback win by the Hot Rods overshadowed solid performances by Lake County starter Matt Turner and reliever Thomas Ponticelli.

Matt Turner limited the Hot Rods to one run on six hits in five innings. The lanky left-hander from Florida notched six strikeouts and issued one walk. He threw 81 pitches, 56 for strikes, in a typically effective outing for the Indians’ 11th round pick in the June 2017 draft out of high school.

Ponticelli blanked the Hot Rods over two frames.

The Captains got their runs on RBI sacrifice flies by Daniel Schneemann and Quentin Holes in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Cardenas