MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Bees' Pitching Stings 'Caps again Sunday

Published on July 20, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Sunday turned out to be a pretty rough day for the West Michigan Whitecaps.

After their Saturday night series-opener against the Burlington Bees stretched into the wee hours of Sunday morning before resulting in a 15-inning loss, the Whitecaps suffered their second defeat in a 16-hour span when Sunday afternoon's matinee ended with a 5-3 loss at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The consecutive home losses are a rarity for West Michigan (18-11, 59-40), who won 19 of their last 23 home games entering the series and boast an impressive 34-17 mark at Fifth Third Ballpark this year. But, for the second straight game, the Burlington (16-13, 54-44) pitching staff controlled the action and pitched the Bees to victory.

Burlington starting pitcher Victor Alcantara (6-4) had the performance of the day on Sunday, working seven strong innings and allowing just four hits and two runs - one earned - to go along with seven strikeouts. The 21-year-old Los Angeles Angels' prospect retired 12 of the first 14 batters he faced before allowing his only runs in the fifth during a rally that was keyed by two infield singles and an error. Alcantara walked three, two of which came as he battled his way through his seventh and final inning.

The game was scoreless until the top of the fourth, when a high fly ball was lost in the sun by shortstop Willy Adames for a leadoff single. Burlington went on to load the bases with nobody out before a sacrifice fly by Tyler Palmer and consecutive run-scoring singles by Trevor Gretzky and Ranyelmy Mendoza staked the Bees to a 3-0 lead.

West Michigan finally broke through against Alcantara in the bottom of the fifth. With a runner at second and two outs, Austin Schotts caught the defense by surprise with a well-placed bunt-single up the third baseline. Alcantara picked it up but threw wildly to first, allowing the runner to score while Schotts raced all the way to third. Wynton Bernard followed with an infield single as the Whitecaps pulled within 3-2.

But the Bees countered immediately with a pair of unearned runs in the top of the sixth. A fielding error by Contreras allowed Palmer to reach base with one out and Gretzky, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI on the day, followed with a run-scoring double. Two batters later, Ismael Dionicio singled home Gretzky with a liner to right. Bernard's throw from the outfield nearly got the runner at the plate, but Gretzky kicked the ball away as he slid home and Burlington reestablished a 5-2 cushion.

Following the strong performance by Alcantara, reliever Brian Loconsole (3) worked the final two innings to earn the save. The Whitecaps threatened in the ninth when an RBI-single by Schotts brought Bernard to the plate as the game-tying run, but Loconsole struck him out looking to close out the game.

Jon Maciel (4-4) was charged with five runs - three earned - over six innings and took the loss.

The Whitecaps conclude their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Monday night against the Burlington Bees. LHP Kevin Ziomek (7-6, 2.51) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Victor Alcantara (5-4, 4.28) of Burlington on a Helen DeVos Children's Hospital Family Day featuring a special appearance from Sid the Science Kid courtesy of WGVU. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 20, 2014


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