A Pitcher's Best Friend

Published on June 12, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Right hander Anthony Shawler and four of his ‘best' friends showed up at Fifth Third Ballpark Friday night as the West Michigan Whitecaps (38-23) downed the South Bend Silver Hawks, 3-1, in game three of their series. The ‘Caps turned four double plays behind Shawler as their solid defense backed his six, scoreless innings of work. West Michigan grabs a two-games-to-one lead in the series.

The Whitecaps went to work immediately on South Bend (26-33) starter Randy Rodriquez. Gustavo Nunez led off the first with a single and came home on Brent Wyatt's RBI triple. Brandon Douglas followed with an RBI ground out, and the ‘Caps had a 2-0 lead.

West Michigan would make the score, 3-0, in the bottom of the second inning. Luis Salas began the inning with a single, moved to second on an errant pickoff throw from Rodriquez, and eventually scored on a fielder's choice ground out from Nunez.

Shalwer was tremendous in just his second start of the season. He didn't allow a run, scattered 7 hits, didn't give up a walk, and struck out two. He's now 3-3 for the year.

Randy Rodriquez struggled in the first two innings, but he settled down the remainder of his 7 innings on the mound. Rodriquez did not allow a hit in his final four innings. With the loss he stands at 1-3.

No Whitecap had more than one hit; Brent Wyatt had the only extra-base hit: a triple.

South Bend doubled the ‘Caps number of hits, but the double plays erased the base runners.

The finale of the series starts Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Ballpark. RHP Brandon Hamilton throws for the ‘Caps and RHP Brett Moorhouse goes for the Silver Hawks.

Midwest League Stories from June 12, 2009

• Bandits Overcome Seven Errors and Three Deficits - Quad Cities River Bandits
• TinCaps Win Another Thriller - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Cougars Win, Now in 1st Place by 2 Games - Kane County Cougars
• Bees Use Two Position Players as Pitchers in Loss - Burlington Bees
• Dragons Again Go to Extra Innings but Fall in Fort Wayne - Dayton Dragons
• Cougars Edge Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Blevins Breezes Past Nuts - Great Lakes Loons
• A Pitcher's Best Friend - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Blevins, Loons Zip Past Lugnuts, 4-1 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Whitecaps Bounce Back with 3-1 Win - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Hart Ache - Kane County Cougars
• Perconte to DL, Bristow Activated for Friday Start - Peoria Chiefs
• Kernels fall to River Bandits, 3-2, in extra innings - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Whitecaps Raising Awareness for Prostate Cancer - West Michigan Whitecaps

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.

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