EASTLAKE, OH - The Lake County Captains held the Grasshoppers to four runs Tuesday evening, defeating the Hoppers 8-4 in the series opener.

The Captains struck first when Adam Abraham singled to plate lead-off man Delvi Cid in the bottom of the first.  Lake County picked up where they left off next inning, after back-to-back base hits brought home two runs in the second.  A costly error and two two-out RBI by Mark Thompson and Karexon Sanchez extended the lead 5-0.

Thompson connected with his third homerun of the year in the fourth inning and was followed by a John Allman homer in the fifth, as the Captains forced eight unanswered runs during the first five frames.

Lake County starter Alex Perez (3-2) picked up his third victory of the season after losing his last decision, a eight run effort for the Grasshoppers during the last home stand.  Perez got the best of the Hoppers this time out though, allowing just one run on four hits through six innings.

Grasshoppers outfielder Kevin Mattison broke the Hopper's scoring drought in the sixth when he blasted his sixth homerun of the year, a solo shot to right field.

Justin Bass responded with a homerun of his own in the next inning, but the Grasshoppers couldn't rally beyond the pair of long balls, and entered the ninth inning trailing by six.

Rookie catcher Kyle Skipworth belted his third homer of the year in the ninth, his first big fly in nearly 35 at bats.  Skipworth has contributed more as of late, driving in four runs in the last two games.

Bass continued the inning, going deep for the second time in the game.  His homerun would arouse some excitement, but the Hoppers were unable to rally further and ultimately fell to the Captains 8-4 in game one of the series.

Bass highlighted the Grasshoppers' night with his 4-4 performance, including two homeruns and a double.  Bass delivered two RBI despite the teams 0-7 mark with runners in scoring position.  With his big night at the plate, Bass has now collected seven hits in his last five games, good enough for a .467 average during the span.  He has homered three times in five games, doubling his season homerun total.

The Grasshoppers (24-21) will try to bounce back Wednesday evening, as they square off with the Captains for the second game of the four game set.  The Hoppers need a win to avoid a three game skid and stay tight in the Northern Division race. Righty ace

Johnny Dorn (6-1) will take the mound for the Hoppers, with first pitch scheduled for 6:30.