MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Keep Clicking at Fifth Third

July 16, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


'CAPS KEEP CLICKING AT FIFTH THIRD BALLPARK

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps picked up right where they left off at Fifth Third Ballpark on Wednesday night, continuing their stellar play at home with a 4-2 win over the Peoria Chiefs in front of an excited crowd of 7,249 to kick-off a six-game homestand.

After nearly two weeks on the road, West Michigan (16-9, 57-38) improved their record at Fifth Third Ballpark to 32-15 and claimed a home win for the 17th time in their last 21 tries. The 'Caps also extended their winning streak to five straight games by doubling up Peoria (16-9, 53-41), their first opponent in a 12-game stretch of interdivisional play.

The Whitecaps led after every inning on Wednesday, benefitting from a leadoff error to jump out to a 2-0 lead in the first. After Wynton Bernard reached base on a miscue by the Chiefs' shortstop, Javier Betancourt singled him to third and Raph Rhymes drove him home on a liner to left-center. Two batters later, a run-scoring groundout by Jeff Holm staked West Michigan to the early lead.

Peoria battled back in the top of the third. Michael Schulze, who went 4-for-4 out of the ninth spot in the lineup, started the rally with a single to center. Vaughn Bryan followed with a double to left, but a throwing error by Rhymes allowed both runners to advance an extra base and Schultze came around to score. Bryan crossed the plate shortly thereafter as a sacrifice fly by Juan Herrera tied the score at 2-2.

But those were the only runs allowed by the Whitecaps' pitching staff, and the offense rallied to recapture the lead moments later.

In the bottom of the third, singles by Bernard and Betancourt - who was 3-for-4 on the night - and a walk to Rhymes loaded the bases with nobody out. Peoria's Alex Reyes lived up to his prospect billing and showed off great stuff by responding with swinging strikeouts against Dominic Ficociello and Jeff Holm, but his command with inconsistent. With two outs, Grayson Greiner drew a four-pitch walk to force in a run and Willy Adames added an RBI-single for the 4-2 margin.

The pitching and defense finished the job.

Chad Green (3-3) worked five strong innings to earn the win. The hard-throwing Louisville product struck out eight without issuing a walk and limited Peoria to two runs - one earned - while scattering seven hits over five innings. After putting two men on base in the fifth, Green finished his outing strong with three consecutive swinging strikeouts.

Joe Mantiply added three scoreless innings of relief with four punch-outs. He got some help in the seventh, when Rhymes picked up a two-out single in left field and gunned down a runner trying to score from second base to end the inning.

Julio Felix (9) closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning to earn the save and extend his scoreless innings streak to 21.1 frames. He is now just one inning shy of the franchise record for a reliever, a 22.1-inning streak accomplished by Ian Ostlund in 2003.

Reyes (6-6) took the loss after allowing four runs - two earned - on seven hits over 3.2 innings.

The Whitecaps continue their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Thursday night against the Peoria Chiefs. RHP Jonathon Crawford (4-2, 3.29) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against LHP Chase Brookshire (3-4, 4.41) of Peoria as fans are treated to the Principal Financial Dreams Tour as well as $2 food and beverage specials on an Altogas Thrifty Thursday. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 16, 2014


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