MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Fast Start Can't Slow Down Captains, Rain

Published on June 15, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps came out swinging to start their final home series of the first half on Tuesday, but a roaring comeback by the Lake County Captains followed by a powerful rainstorm resulted in a 7-5 loss in a rain-shortened, five-inning contest at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (23-41) jumped out to a 5-1 lead after three innings of play only to watch Lake County (41-23) storm back for six unanswered runs before heavy rains forced the umpires to halt the action. The Whitecaps current seven-game losing streak is their longest since 2007 and tied for the second longest in franchise history.

Following an 0-6 road trip, the Whitecaps wasted little time seizing control with four extra base hits and seven total hits through the first three frames.

Jamie Johnson led off the first with a triple to left-center moments before Wade Gaynor clubbed his team-leading sixth home run of the year to left. In the second, Ronnie Bourquin doubled and scored on a base hit by Jimmy Gulliver, running over the catcher on a vicious play at the plate. The Whitecaps lead was 3-1 when Gaynor doubled and scored in the third and Michael Rockett added a run-scoring single that put West Michigan in front, 5-1.

But as a steady rain hovered over Fifth Third Ballpark, the first-place Captains never rolled over.

Lake County's Jeremie Tice checked in with a two-out single to plate a run in the top of the fourth. One batter later, Jason Smit doubled him home to make it a 5-3 ballgame.

With the contest heading towards official status in the fifth, the Captains made their move. Base hits by Delvi Cid and Bo Greenwell set the stage for Casey Frawley to tie the score with a seeing-eye, two-run single that glanced off the glove of a diving Hernan Perez at shortstop. One pitch later, Chun Chen cracked a two-run homer to left-center that gave Lake County the decisive 7-5 margin.

After the ‘Caps went down in order in the bottom of the fifth, the game was put into a delay until being officially called by the umpires.

Vidal Nuno (2-1) earned the win for the Captains despite getting knocked around for five runs on eight hits over four innings of work. Nick Kirk (1) earned the save with a scoreless fifth inning in his first appearance with Lake County.

The loss went to Trevor Feeney (6-5), who was charged with seven runs - four earned - on 10 hits over four innings of work.

The Whitecaps continue their final home series of the first half at Fifth Third Ballpark with the second game of a three-game set against the Lake County Captains at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 16. West Michigan will send all-star LHP Giovanni Soto (4-4, 2.37) to the mound against RHP Austin Adams (2-3, 3.72) of the Captains. Fans will be treated to the popular entertainment of Breakin' BBoy McCoy, the breakdancing bat boy, as well as a special Wednesday edition of post-game fireworks presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. It will also be AT&T Night at the ballpark and a Wellness Wednesday presented by Priority Health.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 15, 2010


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