MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

'Caps Run Over by Hot Rods

Published on June 29, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps found no answers for the second straight night against a potent Bowling Green Hot Rods offense and fell 13-2 in front of 6,210 fans Friday at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Whitecaps starter Jesus Rodriguez struggled early on as a mammoth Ronaldo Hernandez first inning two-run homer paced an early 3-0 Bowling Green lead. The "Caps answered with a lone run in the second to make the score 3-1. After Rey Rivera singled, Dylan Rosa laced a double to set the table for Anthony Pereira, who grounded out to third but brought the run home. The Hot Rods proved unfazed and proceeded to score six runs over the next two innings to close the door on the Whitecaps. West Michigan tallied their last run of the night in the sixth on a Jordan Pearce RBI-single and the 13-2 score held until the end of the contest.

The Whitecaps only managed five hits on the night as a strong start by Hot Rods righty Alex Valverde kept the "Caps in check. Bowling Green slammed 15 hits as all but one Bowling Green hitter contributed an RBI and a base hit in the win. Hot Rods outfielder Carl Chester enjoyed a career-best four-RBI performance. Rivera and Pearce recorded two-hit games for West Michigan, who have managed only twelve hits through two games of the four-game set.

Rodriguez (4-4) gutted through his roughest outing of the season, allowing a season-high seven earned runs, nine hits, two walks and two strikeouts in the loss. Valverde (5-3) hurled six innings, giving up two runs and scattering four hits in picking up the victory. With the loss, the Whitecaps drop to 41-38 overall on the campaign, 5-4 in the second half and have lost the last five games against Bowling Green. In that stretch, the Whitecaps have been outscored 55-8. The Hot Rods improve to 52-26 in 2018 and 5-4 as well in the second half.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps continue this four-game series with the Bowling Green Hot Rods on Saturday at 7:05 pm from Fifth Third Ballpark. Pitcher Brad Bass gets the start for the "Caps against Hot Rods pitcher Tommy Romero. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from June 29, 2018


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