'Caps Dethrone Kings
May 3, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
CLINTON, IA - The West Michigan Whitecaps penchant for big innings continued Thursday night, as a six-run fifth resulted in a 7-4 victory over the Clinton LumberKings at Ashford University Field.
The victory gives West Michigan a series win over Clinton, who beat the 'Caps 13-2 in the second game of a doubleheader on Wednesday. It also improves the Whitecaps record to 12-13, putting the club a win away from hitting the .500 mark.
Early portions of Thursday's game were dominated by the LumberKings, as Clinton jumped out to a 4-1 lead after four innings. Solo home runs by Sean Reynolds - his third home run of the series - and Will Banfield highlighted Clinton's 4-1 edge. In the fifth, Sam McMillan and Parker Meadows ripped back-to-back doubles to open the frame before Jeremiah Burks plated them both with a two-run single. Wenceel Perez followed with an RBI-single that slid under the glove of LumberKings left fielder Thomas Jones and rolled to the wall, helping another run score and giving West Michigan a 5-4 lead. Johnny Valente's RBI-single and a run-scoring double by Nick Ames added much-needed insurance and opened up a 7-4 'Caps advantage to conclude the scoring in the contest.
Whitecaps starting pitcher Kacey Murphy (1-1) shook off a couple of tough early innings to set career-highs with six innings and seven strikeouts while allowing four runs (three earned) in earning his first win of 2019. LumberKings lefty Manuel Rodriguez (1-1) gave up all seven West Michigan runs in five innings of work in suffering his first loss of the season. Angel De Jesus tossed three frames of dominant scoreless baseball while striking out four to earn his first save as a member of the Whitecaps. The Whitecaps improve to 12-13 while the LumberKings drop to 13-12. Reece Hampton led the 'Caps offense with a 3-for-5 performance including a double, RBI, run and stolen base to lead the way to victory. Every member of the West Michigan lineup had at least one hit, and went 6-for-11 with runners in scoring position.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps road trip continues with a three-game series at Community Field against the Burlington Bees on Friday at 7:30 pm. Pitcher Adam Wolf makes a start for West Michigan against Bees pitcher Jose Soriano. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 7:20 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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