MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Get Bang out of Holiday Win

Published on July 4, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


The West Michigan Whitecaps scored a run in the top of the ninth inning to complete a come-from-behind 6-5 win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Monday night in the state's capitol. The Independence Day victory saw the Whitecaps fall behind 5-1 after three innings before rallying to win and improve their record to 5-6 in the second half.

After the Lugnuts grabbed a 4-0 lead after two innings, the 'Caps Kurt Piantek started the comeback with a solo home run. Down 5-1 in the fifth, Garth McKinney's solo homer, Vince Blue's two-run double and Juan Francia's suicide squeeze bunt combined to tie the score and it stayed that way until the ninth.

Francia began the ninth with a bunt single and then motored all the way to third on a wild pickoff attempt. Second baseman Eric Rodland then delivered the game-winning run with a sacrifice fly.

'Caps starter Chris Steinborn bounced back from a rough start and retired 12 of the last 13 men he faced to win his fifth game of the season. Piantek and Blue had two hits apiece to pace the West Michigan offense.

The Whitecaps and Lugnuts meet again in Lansing on Monday in game two of the series at 7:05.

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Midwest League Stories from July 4, 2004


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