MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Run into Home Run Barrage in Midland

Published on August 22, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps got a taste of the Midwest League's most powerful team on Sunday afternoon, serving up three consecutive home runs during a four-pitch sequence in the first inning of a 7-1 loss to the Great Lakes Loons at the Dow Diamond.

The loss ended a franchise-record 11-game road winning streak for West Michigan (28-27, 54-70), who maintained their two-game lead in the race for the Eastern Division's final playoff spot thanks to a fourth consecutive loss by the scuffling Lansing Lugnuts. Great Lakes (38-17, 81-43) improved the best record in all of full-season affiliated baseball on the strength of their first-inning power surge, increasing their league-leading home run total to 114.

The rally started with a one-out double by Nick Buss. Brian Cavazos-Galvez followed by slicing a run-scoring triple down the right field line, kicking off a stretch in which five runs crossed the plate over the course of a six-pitch span.

Moments later, the home run barrage began.

Blake Smith took a 1-0 offering and launched a towering two-run homer to right-center. Just one pitch later, Angelo Songco crushed a mammoth blast that cleared the ballpark and landed in the parking lot beyond the right field fence. Rafael Ynoa made it back-to-back-to-back jacks with a rally-capping blast to right-center that gave the Loons a 5-0 advantage.

Great Lakes starting pitcher Matt Magill (7-4) took care of the rest, carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning before a bouncing ball from Jeff Rowland snuck through the right side of the infield for a leadoff single. The 20-year-old right-hander finished his day with six scoreless innings of two-hit baseball, striking out six and inducing one double play. Steve Smith (6) worked the final three innings for the save.

West Michigan collected seven hits over the final four innings after Magill's departure, but managed to scratch across just one unearned run in the top of the eighth. The Loons' J.T. Wise countered with a two-run single in the bottom of the frame, capping a 3-for-4 day and giving Great Lakes a commanding 7-1 lead.

By breaking up Magill's no-hit bid in the top of the sixth, Rowland extended his hitting streak to 16 games and tied the team-high established by Rob Brantly from July 23-August 14. During the stretch, Rowland is batting .419 with 13 runs scored to raise his batting average from .200 to .284.

Victor Larez (7-10) suffered the loss for the Whitecaps despite pitching very well after the rough first inning. After allowing five runs on six hits in the opening frame, Larez gave up just three hits over six scoreless frames the rest of the way. The damage was done, however, as he was charged with five runs on nine hits and three home runs over seven innings of work.

The Whitecaps play the third game of a four-game series against the Great Lakes Loons at 7:05 p.m. on Monday night at the Dow Diamond. RHP Luis Angel Sanz (2-6, 5.45) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Allen Webster (11-8, 2.83) of the Loons. With just seven regular season home games remaining, the Whitecaps begin their final homestand of the season on Wednesday, August 25, with a 7:00 p.m. game against the Lansing Lugnuts at Fifth Third Ballpark. The 'Caps will wear special jerseys to help benefit the Ronald McDonald House and there will be a special appearance by the clown prince of baseball, Myron Noodleman. There will also be Rally Towels for the first 1,000 fans thanks to McDonalds and post-game fireworks presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from August 22, 2010


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central