![West Michigan Whitecaps](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/teams/resized/mwl_westmichigan_whitecaps19-200.png)
'Caps Stun Lugnuts, 5-3
August 31, 2023 - Midwest League (MWL)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
LANSING, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps took full advantage of a stellar start from pitcher Jackson Jobe, along with the help of a rarely-used rule in the late innings, to pick up a 5-3 come-from-behind win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Wednesday at Jackson Field.
Jobe, the Detroit Tigers Top-5 Prospect, tied a career-high with nine strikeouts in the victory. The Whitecaps remain with a 2.5-game lead over the Fort Wayne Tincaps and 3.5 over Lake County in the Midwest League Eastern Division title race. The contest also featured the 'Caps taking advantage of the Lugnuts violating the detached equipment rule to score the go-ahead runs in the ninth.
The Whitecaps finally took a 2-1 lead in the seventh before Lansing outfielder Junior Perez launched a go-ahead, two-run homer to give the 'Nuts a 3-2 advantage. The score remained the same until the ninth when Seth Stephenson blasted a leadoff double before Gage Workman collected a game-tying RBI-single to even the score at three. With Andrew Jenkins at the plate later in the frame, a 1-2 pitch bounced in the dirt to even the count at 2-2. On the pitch, Lugnuts catcher C.J. Rodriguez removed his facemask and used it to control the baseball - resulting in a one-base penalty. The next pitch saw Jenkins swat a two-run single to give West Michigan its first lead of the night. Lansing manager Craig Conklin and relief pitcher Charles Hall were both ejected in a game that sent West Michigan to a record eight games over .500 this season.
The Whitecaps record jumps to 64-56 overall and 32-23 in the second half, while the Lugnuts fall to 56-65 and 25-31 in the second half. West Michigan reliever Angel Reyes (6-2), the franchise leader in games pitched, picked up his sixth win of the year, while the Lugnuts' Hall (1-3) took the loss. Gabe Sequeira tossed a perfect ninth to record his fifth save. Stephenson reached base four times and picked up two stolen bases in the victory.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this series at Jackson Field against the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday at 7:05 pm. Detroit Dylan Smith and Jose Gonzalez get the starts for West Michigan and Lansing. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from August 31, 2023
- Kernels Score 12 Times, Crush Captains 12-1 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Fort Wayne Downs South Bend - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Wisconsin Makes It Five Wins in a Row with Near No-Hitter - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Gonzalez's Homer Not Enough in Bandits' Loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Thirsty Thursday Crowd Sees Tough Loss - Beloit Sky Carp
- Ibarra, Arroyo Hit Home Runs While Dayton Pitchers Strike Out 18 in 2-1 Dragons' Win - Dayton Dragons
- TinCaps Game Information: August 31 vs. South Bend Cubs - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Homestand Highlights: September 5-10 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Wisconsin Timber Rattlers and Neuroscience Group Renew Stadium Naming Rights Agreement - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dayton Dragons GameDay Notes for Thursday (7:05 PM at Great Lakes) - Dayton Dragons
- Modern Woodmen & River Bandits Team up to Honor First Responders - Quad Cities River Bandits
- 'Caps Stun Lugnuts, 5-3 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Fort Wayne Evens Series Against Cubs In 3-2 Final - South Bend Cubs
- King's Relief Gem Leads Peoria to 3-2 Win - Peoria Chiefs
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.
Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories
- Big Inning Dooms 'Caps in 8-5 Loss
- Clark, 'Caps Stun 'Lugs in 5-4 Comeback
- 'Caps Falter Late in 7-6 Loss
- Clark Gets First High-A Hit in 5-1 Defeat
- Clark, McGonigle Head to West Michigan
![Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew](https://www.oursportscentral.com/graphics/sc_400w_tag.png)
![OurSports Central](https://www.oursportscentral.com/assets/img/footer-logo-latest.png)