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West Michigan Whitecaps

Plagman, 'Caps Explode For 7-1 Win

July 15, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


CLINTON, IA - The West Michigan Whitecaps pounded out 14 hits and roared back for seven unanswered runs in a 7-1 win over the Clinton LumberKings on Thursday night at Alliant Energy Field.

West Michigan (7-13, 33-56) got three-hit games from Corey Jones, Tony Plagman and Clay Jones while Plagman, Avisail Garcia and Clay Jones each drove in a pair. Meanwhile, the powerful Clinton (10-9, 47-41) offense was held in check by a strong outing from Whitecaps' starter Victor Larez.

For the second straight game, the LumberKings took the lead with a run in the first inning. Clinton's top prospect, 19-year-old shortstop Nick Franklin, blasted his 16th homer of the year to right for a 1-0 edge.

On this night, however, the Whitecaps battled back.

After Rob Brantly drew a two-out walk in the second, Clay Jones doubled him home with a shot to deep right-center that tied the score. In the fourth, Wade Gaynor extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a leadoff single and advanced to third on a double by Plagman. Garcia followed with a sacrifice fly as West Michigan took a 2-1 lead.

After missing out on a pair of opportunities to stretch the lead - stranding the bases loaded in the fifth and men at the corners in the sixth - the Whitecaps were able to pull away late.

Corey Jones started a rally in the seventh with a one-out single, notching his second multi-hit effort in as many games since joining the 'Caps on Wednesday. After Gaynor worked the count full and drew a walk, Plagman plated both runners with a double for a 4-1 advantage.

Clay Jones doubled and scored in the eighth before West Michigan mounted another rally in the final frame. Again it was a single by Gaynor and a double by Plagman - his third of the night - that placed runners at second and third, while Garcia delivered another sacrifice fly and Clay Jones added a run-scoring single to cap the 7-1 victory.

That was plenty for Larez (6-7), who rebounded from Franklin's first-inning homer to fire off seven strong innings. He allowed just one run on three hits while fanning five and issuing one walk to win his second consecutive start.

Nolan Gallagher (0-3) suffered the loss for Clinton, pitching 5.2 innings and giving up two runs on six hits and three walks.

The Whitecaps continue a six-game Western Division swing with the finale of a three-game set in Clinton on Friday night at 8:00 p.m. ET. RHP Luis Angel Sanz (1-3, 5.11) is set to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Taylor Stanton (6-4, 3.63) of the LumberKings. The 'Caps return to Fifth Third Ballpark on Wednesday, July 21, for a 7:00 p.m. game featuring Hand Fans for the first 2,500 fans thanks to DFCU Financial and post-game fireworks courtesy of Farm Bureau Insurance. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

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