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West Michigan Whitecaps

Winning Streak Snapped By 15th-Inning Homer

July 19, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps and Burlington Bees began their series-opener on Saturday but did not wrap things up until Sunday morning, fighting for 15 innings and four hours and 36 minutes before Eric Aguilera's tie-breaking home run led to a 4-3 Whitecaps' loss at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (18-10, 59-39) had their seven-game winning streak snapped after the Burlington (15-13, 53-44) bullpen dealt nine scoreless innings to emerge victorious.

The Bees came from behind to tie the game at 3-3 in the eighth inning, but both offenses stalled thereafter thanks to strong dueling relief efforts. The Whitecaps' pitching featured a record-breaking performance by Julio Felix and five shutout innings from Matt Davenport before Aguilera broke through in the top of the 15th.

Pressed into duty, Artie Lewicki (0-1) took over at the start of the inning after flying into West Michigan and being activated on the roster earlier Saturday. An eighth-round pick out of the University of Virginia, the 2014 College World Series star was quickly dealt his first professional loss after Aguilera blasted his one-out, 1-1 pitch over the right-center field fence.

Burlington reliever Ben Carlson (3-1) retired the heart of the Whitecaps' lineup in order in the bottom of the 15th, completing his third scoreless inning of relief to earn the win. His bullpen-mates, Daniel Hurtado and Grant Gordon, also chipped in with three shutout frames apiece. The trio of relievers gave up just four hits and did not allow a runner to reach scoring position after the eighth inning.

During their seven-game winning streak, West Michigan completed all seven of their save opportunities. On Saturday, the 'Caps were unable to hold leads of 1-0 and 3-1 against Burlington.

In the bottom of the first, Javier Betancourt doubled and Raph Rhymes singled him home for the early lead. Two innings later, Angel Rosa ripped a game-tying double to tie the score at 1-1.

West Michigan went back ahead with three singles in the fourth, including a run-scoring knock by Jose Zambrano and a sacrifice fly from Austin Schotts to push the lead to 3-1. Burlington's counter eventually came in the top of the eighth, a rally that began with three straight singles to start the inning and culminated with a game-tying sacrifice fly by Aguilera.

The Whitecaps also got a pair of impressive pitching performances during regulation. With his family in the stands, starter Austin Kubitza struck out nine over five innings, allowing just one run on two hits and exiting the game in line for the win.

A few innings later, Julio Felix made franchise history. After pitching in and out of a bases-loaded jam in the ninth, the hard-throwing 22-year-old right-hander extended his scoreless innings streak to 23, eclipsing the previous record for a reliever established by Ian Ostlund in 2003.

The Whitecaps continue their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 1:00 p.m. first pitch on Sunday afternoon against the Burlington Bees. RHP Jon Maciel (4-3, 3.61) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Victor Alcantara (5-4, 4.28) of Burlington on a Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Family Day featuring a special appearance from Sid the Science Kid courtesy of WGVU. Season, 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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