MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

\'Caps Hold On To Win Game, Series

Published on August 27, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps took the rubber match of a crucial three-game series with the Lansing Lugnuts on Friday night at Fifth Third Ballpark, edging their rival playoff hopeful by a 2-1 score to increase their lead to three games with just 10 to play in the regular season.

West Michigan (31-29, 57-72) stranded nine runners over the first four innings and left 11 men on base in all, but overcame a 1-for-11 night with runners in scoring position thanks to sturdy starting pitching and a gutty effort from the bullpen. While Lansing (28-32, 64-65) won the opener of the series on Wednesday, the ‘Caps stormed back for two in a row to reassert their lead in the race for the Eastern Division's final playoff berth.

Despite the missed opportunities early, the Whitecaps were able to scratch across single runs in the second and third to take a lead.

There were two outs in the second inning when Clay Jones and Hernan Perez singled and Jamie Johnson drew a walk to load the bases. Jeff Rowland followed with a free pass of his own to force in a run and start the scoring. One inning later, Tony Plagman smacked a double off the wall in right-center and Clay Jones delivered a two-out single to push the lead to 2-0.

The pitching staff took care of the rest.

Starter Victor Larez (8-10) pitched into the seventh inning and allowed just one run to earn the win, scattering seven hits over 6.1 frames. He gave up a triple to Brand Glenn leading off the fourth inning for Lansing's only run, striking out three and walking two.

Larez left the game with a slim 2-1 lead, men at the corners and one away in the seventh, but West Michigan's relief corps came up big to seal the victory.

Zach Samuels snuffed out the Lugnuts' seventh-inning rally, striking out Brad McElroy on a filthy splitter before inducing a foul-out from Sean Ochinko to strand runners at the corners. He went on to erase a one-out walk in the eighth with an inning-ending double play ball.

Closer Kenny Faulk (11) finished things off in the ninth. Eric Eiland singled with one out and went on to steal second, but Faulk blew three straight fastballs past Kevin Nolan to record the final out with his second strikeout of the night.

Drew Hutchison (0-2, 1.93) suffered the loss for Lansing, allowing two runs - one earned - on seven hits over four innings.

With just four home games remaining in the regular season, the Whitecaps host the Great Lakes Loons for the opener of a four-game series on Saturday, August 28, at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Ballpark. RHP Luis Angel Sanz (3-6, 5.16) is scheduled to take the mound for West Michigan against RHP Allen Webster (11-8, 2.79) of the Loons. In addition to Women in Baseball Night, the first 1,000 fans will receive t-shirts thanks to Comcast and everybody will be treated to a post-game fireworks show presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 27, 2010


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