Bullpen Lets Late Lead Slip in Loss
April 11, 2017 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
DAYTON, OH - The West Michigan Whitecaps offense gave a two-run lead to their bullpen, but the Dayton Dragons rallied for a 3-2 win at Fifth Third Field Tuesday night.
With the loss, the 'Caps are hitting a Midwest League-low .143, and have scored just eight runs in their first six games.
The 'Caps and Dragons battled into the sixth inning with a scoreless tie when Blaise Salter ripped an RBI-double off the left field wall to score Cam Gibson and give West Michigan a 1-0 lead. Elvis Rubio scored on a fielder's choice later in the inning to give the Whitecaps a 2-0 edge. In the seventh, Tyler Stephenson's RBI-single gave the Dragons their first run before scoring two more an inning later to take the lead. The eighth inning featured an infield single by Hector Vargas before Michael Beltre reached on a sacrifice and throwing error by pitcher Eduardo Jimenez to put runners at second and third with no outs. T.J. Friedl and Jose Siri each collected sacrifice flies to score the tying and go-ahead runs and give Dayton the 3-2 advantage that ultimately won them the contest.
Greg Soto started on the mound for West Michigan and tossed five shutout innings while striking out four, but took a no-decision. Jimenez (0-1) allowed two Dayton runs in two innings to take his first loss of the year. Dayton reliever Ryan Hendrix struck out three in two scoreless innings to pick up his first win of the year. West Michigan falls to 3-3 while Dayton improves to 4-2 in 2017. The Whitecaps have now lost three straight games after beginning the season with a three-game win streak.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps conclude this three-game series with the Dayton Dragons Wednesday night from Fifth Third Field at 7:00p.m. Tigers prospect Kyle Funkhouser looks to build on his outstanding first start (5 IP, 0R, 9K) against Dragons pitcher Scott Moss. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50p.m. Tickets can be reserved for any Whitecaps 2017 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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