MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Ride Pair of Crooked Numbers to Win

August 18, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps put together a pair of big innings on their way to a 7-5 win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Monday night, kicking off the final extended homestand of the 2014 regular season at Fifth Third Ballpark.

It was the third consecutive win for West Michigan (35-21, 76-50), who scored three runs in the first inning and four more in the fifth to take a 7-1 lead. The Whitecaps also clinched a victory in the season-series against Lansing (24-32, 56-69), improving their head-to-head record to 10-7 with two games remaining against their in-state rival.

The 'Caps jumped on Lugnuts' starter Brent Powers in the bottom of the first, using a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases with one out. Jeff Holm cashed in with a two-run double inside the first base line and Ross Kivett followed with a run-scoring groundout for a 3-0 lead.

The score was 3-1 when West Michigan blew the game open with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the fifth. After singles by Bennett Pickar and Francisco Contreras, Domingo Leyba laid down a bunt and beat it out to load the bases with nobody out. One out later, Raph Rhymes rolled a single through the left side and Dominic Ficociello drew a walk to push the lead to 5-1.

After a lineout and a pitching change, Kivett delivered the knockout blow with a two-run single to right that stretched the advantage to 7-1.

That capped a big night for Kivett, who drove in three runs and had four productive plate appearances in his sixth Midwest League game since being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the sixth round of the 2014 draft. Leyba also provided a spark out of the leadoff spot, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and reaching base in four of his five plate appearances.

Jonathon Crawford (7-3) battled through early command issues to earn the win. After walking four of the first six batters that he faced, the hard-throwing right-hander got a double-play ball in the second inning that sparked a stretch of 11 consecutive batters retired and did not allow a hit until the sixth inning. In the end, Crawford yielded just one run and one hit over six frames, issuing five walks and striking out five.

Artie Lewicki (2) worked the final three innings for the save. After striking out the side in the seventh, Lewicki gave up four runs - three earned - on four hits with four strikeouts and no walks.

Powers (4-5) was dealt the loss for Lansing, surrendering seven runs on seven hits in 4.2 innings of work.

The Whitecaps continue their final extended homestand of the regular season on Tuesday night with a 7:00 p.m. game against the Lansing Lugnuts. RHP Matt Davenport (5-4, 2.37) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Brad Allen (4-5, 3.55) of Lansing on the final Dime Dog Night of the year with a special appearance by Family Funny Man Joel Tacey. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 18, 2014


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