MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Betancourt Shines As Caps Take Series

Published on July 31, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Javier Betancourt may have lost his running mate on Thursday, but it didn't seem to slow him down in the West Michigan Whitecaps' 5-4 win over the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (26-13, 67-42) took the field just hours after their prospect shortstop, Willy Adames, was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of the David Price deal. Despite the loss in the clubhouse, the Whitecaps emerged victorious between the white lines to win the rubber match of their three-game series against Lake County (18-20, 45-63).

Through the first four months of the season, the 19-year-old Betancourt and 18-year-old Adames made up one of the most talented middle infield duos in all of Minor League Baseball.

With his double play partner looking on from the stands, Betancourt slid over to shortstop on Thursday and continued his hot-hitting ways, going 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles and two RBI. A prospect in his own right, Betancourt picked up multiple RBI in each game during the three-game set against Lake County and is now hitting a blistering .359 over his last 22 games.

Trailing 1-0 early, Betancourt drilled a two-run double in the third inning that gave the Whitecaps the lead. In the third, Austin Schotts drew a bases loaded walk to push West Michigan's advantage to 3-1.

The 'Caps added two key insurance runs in the eighth when Jose Zambrano, who played second base and went 2-for-4, poked a two-out, two-run double down the third base line.

The 5-1 lead proved to be crucial.

Julio Felix struggled in a non-save situation in the ninth, loading the bases with nobody out and giving up three runs before he was able to complete the inning. The Captains cut the deficit to 5-4 on a sacrifice fly by Richard Stock and a two-run single by local product Torsten Boss, but Felix induced a game-ending fly-out from Mike Papi with the potential game-tying run at second base.

Artie Lewicki (1-1) earned his first professional win with three hitless innings of relief. In just his sixth pro appearance, and fourth with the Whitecaps, the eighth-round pick out of the University of Virginia took over in the fifth inning and helped the West Michigan pitching staff carry a three-hitter into the ninth inning.

While he did not figure into the decision, Matt Davenport gave up just one run over four solid innings in his first professional start. The 6-foot-8 side-armer was moved from the bullpen into the starting rotation after the promotion of Buck Farmer to Double-A Erie on Wednesday.

Luis Lugo (5-9) was charged with three runs on six hits over five innings in the loss for Lake County.

The Whitecaps continue a six-game homestand with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Friday night against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at Fifth Third Ballpark. RHP Austin Kubitza (9-1, 2.59) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Ronald Herrera (5-6, 4.11) of Fort Wayne on a Tiger Friday featuring appearances by Tom Brookens and Steve Garvey and a commemorative 1984 World Series t-shirt giveaway. 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 31, 2014


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