Lake County- With their backs against the wall down 0-1 in the Midwest League Championship Series, the Lake County Captains fought back and forced the best thing in sports- a winner takes all game.
Led by a great pitching effort from Matt Wilkerson, who went a professional career-high 6.2 innings, the Captains beat the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 6-2 on Tuesday night.
The win forces one final game in the High-A Midwest League season- a winner-takes-all game three that will be played Wednesday night at Lake County’s Classic Park.
“Tonight, Wilkerson was outstanding, and I was going to let him go to his limit no matter what,” Lake County coach Omir Santos said. “Playoff time, anyone can be hero, and a lot of guys stepped up tonight.”
Wilkerson worked out of jams early on before settling in and putting up zeros in his final 3.1 innings.
He finished with a line of 6.2 innings, two earned runs and five strikeouts.
“A guy like that (Wilkerson), he gives you a chance every time,” Santos said.
The Captains got contributions up-and-down the lineup. Jonah Advincula had two hits, including the two-run home run that gave the Captains the lead for good.
The drive came in the third inning with two outs and Wisconsin leading 2-1.
“Everyone had a big part in this game with big plays and big hits,” Advincula said. “Even had some big defensive plays out there tonight.”
2024 Cleveland Guardian #1 overall pick Travis Bazzana walked three times, singled and scored twice.
Angel Genao, the Guardians fourth ranked prospect, had a two-run double in the eighth inning to break things open and give the Captains a 6-2 lead.
It was his second double of the game and third hit. He also had two RBI’s.
Wuilfredo Antunez, Jake Fox and Esteban Gonzalez also all had two hits for Lake County.
The Captains had five different players have at least two hits and combined for 13 hits as a team.
“All the guys did their part tonight and it was a lot of fun to see,” Santos said.
Adam Tulloch worked the final 2.1 innings to pick up the save.
The Captains will try to win their second Midwest League Championship in three years on Wednesday night.
“We’re beyond excited to be playing a game three and even better that it’s at home,” Advincula said. “that’s huge for our momentum.”
Captains win and force a game 3 ! Final: Captains 6, Timber Rattlers 2 @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/syvEDxQxU7
— Paul Williams (@Pwill0512) September 18, 2024
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