NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, CFL stats



West Michigan Whitecaps

John Leads The Way In Two-Hit Shutout

June 10, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Jordan John dealt eight scoreless innings to lead the West Michigan Whitecaps to a 1-0 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts on Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

John combined with All-Star closer Jose Valdez on a two-hit shutout as West Michigan (30-33) turned the tables on a Lansing (28-34) club that had shut out the Whitecaps in three of the previous four games.

John (5-3), a sixth-round pick by the Detroit Tigers in the 2012 draft, dominated the Lugnuts' lineup over eight strong innings. The 22-year-old lefty retired the first 10 batters that he faced before an infield single in the fourth, and then set down the next 11 batters in a row before a leadoff single in the eighth. John retired 24 of the 26 batters that he faced overall, inducing 15 groundball outs and striking out five without issuing a walk.

Only one of the two baserunners that reached base against him was able to advance past first base. With the Whitecaps nursing a 1-0 lead, Gustavo Peirre singled to open the eighth and made his way to third courtesy of a stolen base and a groundout.

He was left there when John induced a groundout to short on his 92nd and final pitch of the night.

Valdez (13) worked the ninth to cement the victory.

Things got interesting when Dwight Smith, Jr. drew a one-out walk and stole second base to put the potential game-tying run in scoring position. A flyout and another walk brought Lansing slugger Kevin Patterson to the plate with the game on the line, but Valdez blew him away with a 97 mph fastball to end the game with a strikeout.

The Whitecaps scratched across the only run of the two-hour and 10-minute ballgame in the bottom of the fifth.

Jason King and Bennett Pickar each singled to start the inning and a key passed ball advanced them to second and third with nobody out. With the infield back and conceding the run, Jake Stewart followed with a groundout to the second baseman that plated King for an unearned run.

That doomed Lugnuts' starter Javier Avendano (4-4) to the tough-luck loss. Avendano allowed just one unearned run and five singles over seven strong innings, striking out four and walking none.

The Whitecaps start a three-game road series against the Great Lakes Loons at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday night at the Dow Diamond. RHP Edgar De La Rosa (3-0, 4.70) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against Great Lakes 16-year-old phenom LHP Julio Urias (1-0, 0.77) in the first game of a three-game series. The 'Caps return to Fifth Third Ballpark at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night for the first Tiger Friday of the summer with a visit from Charlie Maxwell. Saturday's action will include games at 12:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. during a split doubleheader before the final day of the first half on Sunday. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...

Midwest League Stories from June 10, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central