Whitecaps Celebrate Third Straight Playoff Berth
June 19, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
LANSING, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps late rally fell short, but the team received good news after Saturday's 7-6 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts at Cooley Law School Stadium.
As for the game, the Whitecaps got in a big hole when Lansing posted six runs in the first inning. The frame marked the biggest offensive stanza by a Whitecaps opponent this season. A three-run triple by Juan Kelly and another triple, this time by Ryan Metzler, brought in two more to highlight the first. The game headed into the ninth with the 'Caps facing a 7-2 deficit. West Michigan got their first run of the final frame on an RBI-single by Arvicent Perez with one out. Cam Gibson followed with a run-scoring single of his own to bring the score to 7-4. After Derek Hill struck out for the second out, David Gonzalez lofted a bloop RBI-single into centerfield to score a run, and Will Maddox laid down a perfect infield base hit which plated Gonzalez on a throwing error by Carl Wise to bring the Whitecaps within a 7-6 score. Will Allen followed with a groundout to third, and the Lugnuts hung on to take Saturday contest from the 'Caps.
After the game, Manager Andrew Graham informed the team that the lowest they can finish in the first half standings is second place, sealing a trip to the 2016 Midwest League Playoffs, and igniting a jubilant clubhouse celebration. West Michigan now gets an opportunity to defend its 2015 Midwest League Championship after the regular season in September. With a win Sunday, the 'Caps will win the first-half division title and gain home-field advantage in the first-round of the postseason. A detailed explanation of playoff scenarios can be found by clicking this link.
2015 first-round pick Jon Harris (6-1) started for Lansing and allowed just two runs in 6.1 innings while striking out six to record his sixth win. Baez (2-7) recovered to throw 4.1 innings, but allowed six Lansing runs to take his seventh loss of 2016. Dusty Issacs procured the final two Whitecap outs in the ninth to record his twelfth save of the year. The Whitecaps fall to 39-27, while the Lugnuts improve to 35-34. Arvicent Perez led the offense by going 3-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI.
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Midwest League Stories from June 19, 2016
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- River Bandits Announce Scholarship Winners - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Whitecaps to Enter Playoffs as First-Half Wildcard - West Michigan Whitecaps
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- Rattlers close out first half with a win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- South Bend Is Playoff Bound with 3-1 Win over Lake County - South Bend Cubs
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- Captains Edged in First-Half Finale, Fall Short of Playoff Berth - Lake County Captains
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- River Bandits Close First Half with Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
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- Bowling Green Hot Rods Game Notes (at FW) - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Whitecaps Celebrate Third Straight Playoff Berth - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Snappers Fall in Extras - Beloit Sky Carp
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