Stewart's Late Heroics Push Whitecaps Past Cubs

August 26, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Christin Stewart's go-ahead three-run triple in the eighth inning helped the West Michigan Whitecaps rally for a 4-3 win over the South Bend Cubs Wednesday at Fifth Third Ballpark.

South Bend jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Ian Happ's RBI-triple and a balk by Whitecaps starting pitcher Spencer Turnbull in the first inning. Meanwhile, Cubs starter Tommy Thorpe was outstanding in holding West Michigan to one run over seven innings. South Bend reliever Alex Santana entered in the eighth, and walked A.J. Simcox, Mike Gerber and Kade Scivicque to load the bases for Christin Stewart, who launched a deep drive to left-center just out of the reach of Cubs outfielder Rashad Crawford to score all three Whitecap base-runners with one of the most dramatic hits of the season and give West Michigan a 4-3 lead.

Joe Jimenez (5-1) turned in one of his most impressive performances of the year when he entered the game in the eighth inning with the bases loaded and held the Cubs scoreless, while retiring the side in-order in the ninth to earn his fifth win. Santana (0-2) took his second loss for allowing Stewart's triple. The Whitecaps improve to 35-23 in the second half and 68-59 overall. South Bend's second half mark falls to 29-29, with a 58-67 record on the year. A.J. Simcox led the Whitecaps with two hits, while Stewart drove in all four 'Caps runs in the contest. West Michigan's lead over South Bend and Lake County improves to six games in the race for the Eastern Division wildcard, and their magic number stands at seven with twelve games left to play.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps begin a three-game series against the Lansing Lugnuts Thursday night at 7pm. A.J. Ladwig gets the starting nod for West Michigan against Chase Mallard for Lansing. If you can't make it to the ballpark, broadcast coverage begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50pm. A reminder that season, group and individual tickets can be reserved for any 2015 home game by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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