
'Caps Conquer Cubs in Home Opener
April 6, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - A three-run fifth inning for the West Michigan Whitecaps backed stellar pitching and resulted in a 3-1 home opener win over the South Bend Cubs on a warm Saturday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.
A sun-drenched crowd of over 6,000 fans viewed a solid pitching duel early on as South Bend right-hander Eury Ramos limited the Whitecaps offense to one single over the first four innings with game-time temperatures over 60 degrees.
Whitecaps starter Carlos Guzman proved equally effective, tossing five shutout innings in his first start of 2019. In the fifth inning, consecutive RBI doubles by Sam McMillan and Avery Tuck followed by a wild pitch and a lead-off single, and stolen base by Reece Hampton resulted in three runs. Sandel De La Cruz and Angel Reyes closed out a strong pitching day for the "Caps. Both right-handers worked two relief innings, and limited South Bend to one earned run and four singles over the last four innings as West Michigan earned the victory, their first in three tries in the 2019 season. The "Caps defense turned three rally-squashing double plays in consecutive innings to aid Guzman (1-0), who picked up the win, striking out two and giving up no walks and only three singles. Guzman worked quickly and effectively, tossing just 56 pitches in his five innings of work. Reyes earned the save with a scoreless final two innings. Ramos (0-1) took the loss, throwing 4.2 innings and allowing all the Whitecaps runs.
Hampton tallied two hits for the "Caps as the bottom four in the order accumulated five of the Whitecaps six hits. The win represented the eleventh victory in the last twelve home openers at Fifth Third Ballpark dating back to 2009. With the loss, South Bend falls to 2-1 in the young season.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps play the final game of this four-game, home-and-home series against the South Bend Cubs at Fifth Third Ballpark on Sunday at 2:00 pm. Pitcher Gio Arriera gets the start for West Michigan against Cubs righty Riley Thompson. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 1:50 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2019 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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