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MWL West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Fall Just Short, 5-4

September 8, 2023 - Midwest League (MWL)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn't come up with the big hit they needed as part of a 5-4 loss to the Great Lakes Loons in front of 5,313 fans Thursday night at LMCU Ballpark.

Despite 'Caps pitching holding the Loons to a 2-for-12 mark with runners in scoring position, West Michigan could only muster just one hit through the final three frames in the slim defeat. Despite the loss, the Whitecaps remain just a half-game behind Fort Wayne for first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division by virtue of a 4-3 win by the Dayton Dragons over the TinCaps with three games remaining.

The Loons took a commanding lead in the third inning, plating four runs - featuring a bases-clearing triple from Fernandez - before 'Caps outfielder Austin Murr added a solo homer in the bottom half, trimming the lead to 4-1. With a runner on first and none out in the fifth inning, Whitecaps starter Troy Melton was removed from the game prematurely due to an apparent injury as reliever Dario Gardea allowed a walk before retiring the following three hitters consecutively, keeping the lead at 4-1. West Michigan sparked a rally in the sixth as Izaac Pacheco collected a three-run homer - knotting the game at four. The Loons wasted no time responding, as Yunior Garcia added an RBI single to inch Great Lakes in front 5-4. The Whitecaps failed to rally back as Loons relievers Christian Suarez, Jack Dreyer, and Michael Hobbs combined to allow just one hit through three innings with six strikeouts to slam the door and earn the victory.

The Whitecaps fall to 66-61 overall and 34-28 in the second half, while the Loons improve to 75-53 and 30-33 in the second half. Loons reliever Sauryn Lao (1-0) earns his first win of the year, allowing three runs through just an inning, while Hobbs collects his seventh save. Whitecaps reliever Erick Pinales (4-2) suffers his second loss, allowing a run through an inning pitched. Hobbs picks up his seventh save in relief. Of the Whitecaps last 11 defeats, nine have come by exactly one run.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps continue winding down the regular season and their six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons at LMCU Ballpark on Friday at 6:35 p.m. Lefties Carlos Pena and Maddux Bruns get the starts for the Whitecaps and Loons Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 p.m. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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