MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps rally for historic comeback

Published on May 10, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - It was the greatest comeback in Whitecaps' history. Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark, the West Michigan Whitecaps (20-9) edged the Clinton Lumberkings, 9-8, in thirteen innings on Sprint Breast Cancer Awareness Day. The ‘Caps rallied from 8 runs down as Brandon Douglas drove in Luis Palacios from third. With the win, the Whitecaps salvage one of the three games of the series.

The game appeared to belong to Clinton (18-11) from the beginning. The Lumberkings started their scoring in the first inning with a run, and they tacked on 5 more run in the second for a 6-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth, the Lumberkings increased their lead even more. Two runs came in on a triple and a sacrifice fly for a 8-0 advantage.

Whitecaps' relievers Anthony Shawler, Jared Gayhart and Tyler Stohr (W, 2-1) would all play key roles in keeping the Lumberkings scoreless so the ‘Caps offense had a chance.

The Whitecaps began their historic comeback in the bottom half of the fourth inning. Brent Wyatt doubled and came home on a throwing error by the pitcher. Then Brandon Douglas scampered home on the RBI single by Bryan Pounds to make the score, 8-2.

In the fifth the Whitecaps added two more runs to their total when Brent Wyatt's 2-run double plated Angel Flores and Ben Guez.

West Michigan cut Clinton's lead to 8-5 in the sixth as Ronnie Bourquin chased home Bryan Pounds.

The game remained 8-5 in favor of Clinton until the bottom of the ninth. With one out, Ben Guez drove his first homerun of the year over the right center field wall scoring Jordan Lennerton and Gustavo Nunez. Guez's three-run shot tied the game at 8-8.

Neither team would score for the next three innings. But the Whitecaps put the finishing touch on their dramatic comeback in the thirteenth when Douglas lifted a fly ball to right center to bring home pinch-runner Luis Palacios for the 9-8 victory.

Ben Guez had a double and the three-run homerun. Brent Wyatt was 2-6 with two doubles for the ‘Caps. And Ronnie Bourquin finished the day with three hits in six at-bats.

The Whitecaps have an off-day scheduled for Monday and then start a 4-game series in Dayton on Tuesday night. Game time is set for 7:00 p.m. at Dayton's Fifth Third Field.

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Midwest League Stories from May 10, 2009


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