MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Quiet in 6-1 Loss

Published on May 11, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps fell behind early and never recovered in a 6-1 loss to the South Bend Silver Hawks in front of a school day crowd of 5,677 on Wednesday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (14-19) collected eight hits but went just 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position, spotting South Bend (15-18) a three-run lead in the top of the first as the Silver Hawks led from wire-to-wire.

The Whitecaps found themselves in the early hole after a shaky first inning that included three singles, a walk and a balk. There were two men aboard and one out when Yazy Arbelo yanked a run-scoring single to right for his league-leading 29th RBI, and moments later a balk allowed Zach Walters to walk home from third. It also advanced Arbelo to second, and he was able to score on the ensuing single by Matt Helm that gave South Bend a 3-0 lead after half an inning of play.

West Michigan scored their only run in the bottom of the fourth, when Luis Castillo doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by James Robbins to cut the deficit to 3-1.

South Bend responded promptly, however, scoring single runs in each of the next three innings to reassert control. Walters checked in with a solo homer in the fifth while Helm led off the sixth with a single and scored on Chris Jarrett's sacrifice fly. In the seventh, Ender Inciarte circled the bases on a walk, another balk, and an RBI-single by Mike Freeman to reach the 6-1 final.

David Holmberg (2-3) picked up the win for the Silver Hawks, cruising through six innings and allowing just one run on five hits. He struck out four without issuing a walk, facing one batter in the seventh before being hit by a line-drive single and removed from the game.

Josue Carreno (1-4) took the loss, charged with five runs on nine hits in six innings of work.

The Whitecaps wrap up their homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the finale of a four-game series against the South Bend Silver Hawks at 6:35 p.m. on Thursday evening. RHP Kevin Eichhorn (1-2, 5.40) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan while RHP Jeff Shields (1-3, 7.25) will take the hill for South Bend on A.J. Family Fun Center Night at the ballpark. It will also be an Altogas Thrifty Thursday featuring $2 food and beverage specials, while a variety of additional promotions will make ticket discounts available for members of the military, college students, and faculty and students at OK Blue conference schools. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

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