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West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Break Down Hot Rods in 7-3 Win

April 20, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps found their offense in bunches with four runs in the second inning and three runs in the sixth inning in a convincing 7-3 victory over the Bowling Green Hot Rods Thursday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Despite a 7-3 season record coming into the game, the Whitecaps struggled to accumulate offense over the past few games but found their groove with nine hits in the victory. The "Caps took a quick 4-0 lead in the second inning off Hot Rods starter Austin Franklin, who lasted just 3.1 innings in his third start of 2018. The big inning featured a sacrifice fly from Alexis Garcia and a two-run triple by Cole Peterson. Elvin Rodriguez provided a strong early showing in his second season start for the Whitecaps by handcuffing the Hot Rods on only one hit through the first four innings, but Bowling Green closed the gap to 4-3 by plating two runs in the fifth and one in the sixth and chasing Rodriguez from the game.

The Whitecaps stormed back in the sixth inning as doubles by Joey Morgan and Luke Burch pushed across three runs and upped the "Caps advantage to 7-3. Solid relief pitching by Oswaldo Castillo and Wladimir Pinto shut down any chances for a Hot Rods comeback as the "Caps cruised to their seventh home win in eight tries in 2018 and improved their overall record to 8-3. Bowling Green fell to 6-8 as West Michigan took two of three games in the series. Rodriguez (1-0) picked up his first victory of the year for West Michigan, striking out five while scattering four hits and allowing three earned runs. Franklin (0-1) absorbed the loss for Bowling Green. Peterson paced the "Caps offense with a three-hit performance, and Morgan added two base hits on the night.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps hit the road for seven days beginning with a three-game series against the Great Lakes Loons for a Friday night contest starting at 6:05 p.m. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 5:55 p.m. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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