Lake Country shuts out Chicago Dogs in opening game of series

John Baker limited the high-powered Lake Country offense to just five hits and one run over seven innings of work, but it was not enough as Chicago’s offense struggled for a second consecutive game as the Dockhounds took Game 1 of the three-game series, 4-0.

Lake Country scored in the third inning as Chavez Young doubled home former major-league catcher Deivy Grullon, making it 1-0. It stayed that way until the eighth inning when Young again struck. He drove a pitch to left-center field, scoring two and ending at third base with a triple. The former Toronto Blue Jays farmhand went 2-for-4 with 3 RBI.

That was all the run support the Dockhounds needed. Brett Conine and four relievers combined to limit the Dogs offense to seven singles. Conine earned the win, throwing five scoreless innings, while Baker dropped to 5-4 on the year.

The loss by Chicago moves Lake Country within two games of the third-place Dogs in the Eastern Division and just three games behind Kane County for second.