Caps Use Four-Hit Shutout To Clip Hawks
Published on August 17, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
SOUTH BEND, IN - Three West Michigan Whitecaps' pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout Friday night, leading the way in a key 2-0 victory over the South Bend Silver Hawks at Coveleski Stadium.
The win netted West Michigan (26-27, 62-61) a series victory over South Bend (26-26, 61-61) as both teams attempt to chase down Lake County for the Eastern Division's second-half wild card berth. With 17 games remaining in the regular season, the "ËCaps are now 2.5 games behind Lake County and just a half-game behind South Bend in the standings.
Starting pitcher Marcelo Carreno (7-8) set the tone, bouncing back from a shaky first inning to earn the win in what turned out to be a dominant performance.
After laboring through a 28-pitch opening frame, the Venezuelan right-hander retired 15 of the last 16 batters that he faced on his way to 5.2 shutout innings. He allowed just three baserunners - all on singles - and struck out four without issuing a walk. Following a pair of two-out singles that put runners at the corners in the first, Carreno set down the next 13 batters in order before an infield single in the sixth, the only baserunner he allowed the rest of the way.
The bullpen was just as good.
Jade Todd took over with a runner at second base and two outs in the sixth inning and promptly induced an inning-ending groundout. He went on to strike out the side in the seventh and work through a scoreless eighth inning.
Melvin Mercedes (5) earned the save with a perfect ninth inning, completing a combined four-hit shutout in which just two Silver Hawks reached scoring position.
The Whitecaps got the only run they needed in the fourth. Singles by Eugenio Suarez and Aaron Westlake put runners at the corners with nobody out, and Jeff McVaney lifted a sacrifice fly to left field for a 1-0 lead.
One inning later, Chad Wright was at first when Suarez lined a double to left field. As the throw towards second base bounced away, Wright broke home and scored on the throwing error to push West Michigan's lead to 2-0.
South Bend's Keith Hessler (2-2) took the loss despite a solid outing. The tall left-hander was charged with two runs - one earned - on seven hits over 6.2 innings.
The Whitecaps return to Fifth Third Ballpark for a seven-game homestand that begins on Saturnday night at 7:00 p.m. with the opener of a four-game series against the Great Lakes Loons. RHP Jeff Ferrell (5-4, 4.00) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Raydel Sanchez (3-7, 4.28) of Great Lakes. Promotions include Racing Night, a pre-game t-shirt giveaway, and a spectacular post-game fireworks show. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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