MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Suarez Celebrates Birthday, Leads 'Caps to Win

Published on July 18, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - After Wednesday night's drama at Fifth Third Ballpark, West Michigan Whitecaps' fans can all agree that Eugenio Suarez knows how to celebrate a birthday.

In a game that saw five lead changes and lasted more than four hours, the All-Star shortstop stole the show on his 21st birthday. Suarez went 4-for-4 with a homer and four RBI, reached base in all six of his plate appearances, and sent the crowd home happy with a walk-off double in the bottom of the 10th inning that capped a wild 9-8 win over the Peoria Chiefs.

West Michigan (13-12, 49-46) has registered double-digit hits in all six of their games since suffering a no-hit loss on July 11 at Clinton, averaging 7.2 runs per game over that time.

The Whitecaps went into the bottom of the 10th inning on Wednesday trailing, 8-7, but got some help from Peoria (10-15, 45-49) reliever Larry Suarez.

The Chiefs' right-hander issued a leadoff walk to pinch-hitter Jeff Holm, who was bunted to second and took third on an errant pickoff attempt. With the infield in, Holm broke for the plate when Chad Wright hit a bouncer to the second baseman. The throw to the catcher beat the baserunner home, but a determined Holm plowed through the catcher and jarred the ball loose to score the game-tying run.

Two batters later, Wright was at second when Suarez drilled a 1-2 pitch over the left fielder's head for the 9-8, walk-off win.

Suarez's birthday celebration included three singles and a home run to go along with two runs scored and four runs batted in. He also drew a walk and was hit by a pitch, reaching scoring position on all six of his trips to the plate with the exception of his game-ending hit.

The late turn of events left Michael Torrealba (4-2) with the win while Larry Suarez (1-2) suffered the loss.

The game began with a flurry of action in which the 'Caps scored seven runs over the third and fourth innings to grab a 7-5 lead. Their three-run rally in the third was highlighted by Jeff McVaney's two-out, two-run double, while Suarez's two-run homer in the fourth capped an outburst in which all four runs crossed the plate with two outs.

West Michigan lost the lead when Peoria rallied for two runs in the eighth, but the Whitecaps' bullpen kept the home team in the game. Jade Todd induced an inning-ending double play with the bases loaded in the eighth to prevent the Chiefs from taking the lead, and Torrealba worked out of a bases-loaded, nobody-out jam in the ninth to do the same.

That set the stage for the seesaw 10th-inning that ended with Suarez's walk-off winner.

The Whitecaps continue a six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the second game of a three-game series against the Peoria Chiefs on Thursday night at 7:00 p.m. RHP Wilsen Palacios (10-6, 3.47) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Yao-Lin Wang (3-2, 3.19) of Peoria. Promotions include an '80's Night theme with a special appearance by Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, a pre-game youth jersey giveaway, and an Altogas Thrifty Thursday featuring a post-game concert by The Cones. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 18, 2012


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