MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Blowout Whitecaps win forces decisive game three

Published on September 5, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK - With seven runs in the first two innings and six shutout innings by starting pitcher Thad Weber, the Whitecaps blasted South Bend, 11-0 to force a decisive game three in a first round playoff series. The third game will be Saturday at 7 p.m. at Fifth Third Ballpark.

It was the most lopsided playoff victory in team history, besting an 11-2 triumph at Wisconsin on Game Three of the Midwest League Championship Series on September 11, 1996.

With one out in the bottom of the first, the Whitecaps recorded three consecutive RBI singles followed by an RBI sacrifice fly by Kody Kaiser for a 4-0 lead.

In the second inning, Chris Carlson delivered a two-out RBI walk and Alex Avila stroked a two-run single to right for a 7-0 advantage.

Carlson and Justin Henry each had two RBI for West Michigan while Alex Avila drove in three runs in the first two innings.

South Bend starting pitcher Cristian Beltre lasted just two innings and gave up seven runs (6 ER) on seven hits and two walks.

Tom Layne helped spare the Silver Hawks bullpen with five innings of relief, but allowed a four run rally in the bottom of the sixth, which featured five hits, an RBI hit by pitch of Kyle Peter and an RBI sacrifice fly by Joe Tucker, which provided the final margin of victory. Henry also had a two run single in the sixth inning.

Weber struck out seven batters over six innings and yielded just two hits with one walk. Andrew Hess followed with a scoreless inning of relief and Orland Perdomo pitched two shutout innings to seal the victory.

The Whitecaps outhit South Bend, 15-4.

West Michigan has won the last four decisive playoff games in which it has appeared. The last such loss was in game three of the Eastern Division Championship Series against Lansing in 2002.

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Midwest League Stories from September 5, 2008


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