Grand slam by Planez powers Captains past Whitecaps, 9-2
Jun. 5—The guy waiting on deck always feels insulted when the opposing pitcher intentionally walks the one at the plate to get to him, even when statistics and logic say the walk is the right move.
The Captains were leading the visiting White Caps, 2-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning on June 5 at Classic Park. They had runners on second and third with two out when, with Alexfri Planez on deck, Jhonkensy Noel stepped into the batter's box.
Noel, with three home runs in the series and 13 on the season, is Lake County's most dangerous hitter. West Michigan manager Bryan Pena gave the signal to intentionally walk Noel to load the bases so pitcher Michael Bienlien could face Planez.
Bienlien grooved a 1-1 fastball over the heart of the plate and Planez air-mailed it over wall in left center, over the bleachers and onto the playground to turn a close game into a 6-1 Lake County lead. The Captains went on to win, 9-2, and split the six-game series with West Michigan. The Captains will carry a 26-24 record into Fort Wayne, Ind., for a six-game series with the Tin Caps beginning June 7.
"We have a lot of guys that can put the ball over the fence," Captains manager Greg DiCenzo said. "Our park plays fairly small at times. If the wind's blowing out at all, it plays really small.
"I can't blame them for not wanting to face Jhonkensy. He's a monster. But so is Planez. He's been out and injured. His numbers aren't as gaudy as 'Kensy's but they certainly could be and certainly might be down the road."
@LCCaptains manager Greg Dicenzo isn't surprised Alexfri Planez came through with a grand slam to power Lake County past West Michigan, 9-2, Sunday at Classic Park. pic.twitter.com/akUIgPYWmW
— Jeff Schudel (@jsproinsider) June 5, 2022
The home run was just the second of the season for Planez, a 20-year-old right fielder from Caracas, Venezuela. As he watched the ball sail out of sight, he threw the bat to the ground with a little extra emphasis before beginning his home run trot.
"I was fired up when they walked Jhonkensey to get to me," Planez said through an interpreter. It felt good. I threw the bat down like that because it was a grand slam."
Angel Martinez homered twice for the Captains, who wore their green Picantes jerseys for the series finale. He hit a solo home run in the third inning and another solo shot in the seventh. Gabriel Rodriguez hit his third home run of the season with the bases empty in the second inning
Five Captains pitchers combined for a three-hitter. Lenny Torres pitched four scoreless, hitless innings to highlight the Lake County pitching. The victory went to Raymond Burgos, who followed starter Tommy Mace to the mound. Burgos pitched 1 1/3 innings without allowing a hit or a run.
PHOTOS: Captains vs. Whitecaps, June 5, 2022
