MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Cody and Scram combine to stop \'Caps slide

Published on May 24, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


BELOIT, WI - Chris Cody pitched eight innings with ten strikeouts and Deik Scram broke a 2-2 tie with a solo home run in the top of the seventh inning as West Michigan ended their longest losing streak of the season with a 3-2 victory in Beloit.

The win snapped a four game skid and also stopped an eight game winning streak for the Snappers.

Cody earned the victory and Brett Jensen pitched the ninth to pick up his ninth save, but the triumph did not come without drama.

Beloit stranded five runners on base and four of them were in the final two innings.

In the bottom of the ninth, Joe Benson tripled for the Snappers with two out. Then pinch hitter Chris Parmelee walked to put the inning run on base. But Danny Santiesteban struck out swinging to end the game.

As Jensen earned the save he was actually in the Whitecaps batting order. West Michigan relinquished their designated hitter in the top of the ninth.

Catcher Jeff Kunkel singled with one out and was replaced by pinch runner Gorkys Hernandez. The other regular catcher on the Whitecaps roster, James Skelton was already in the lineup as the DH and when he moved to catcher for the bottom of the ninth, Jensen became a substitute for Hernandez.

Kunkel finished 3-for-4, including an RBI triple in the second inning that tied the game. He scored a go-ahead run when Scott Sizemore hit a ball that scooted past third baseman Danny Valencia for a two-base error.

The only Snappers runs of the night scored in the first and second innings on a home run by Brian Dinkelman and a sacrifice fly from Greg Yersich.

Spot Start: Jonah Nickerson will be given an extra day to rest his sore back and will start on Saturday at Fort Wayne, rather than Friday. RHP Jeff Gerbe will make his first start of the season for the Whitecaps on Friday against the Wizards. In his first season as a professional in 2006, Gerbe pitched only as a starter for Oneonta of the New York-Penn League. The Michigan State product was 1-4 with a 5.08 ERA in eight games last season.

Finally, Fort Wayne: On Friday, the Whitecaps road trip continues as West Michigan faces Fort Wayne for the first time this season. The Wizards are the only Midwest League team that has not matched up against the 'Caps this year. There will be a four game sequence with a two game series at Fort Wayne, followed immediately by a two game set at Fifth Third Ballpark. Below are the expected pitching match ups for the four games:

(West Michigan vs. Fort Wayne)

Friday at Fort Wayne, 6:00 p.m.

RHP Jeff Gerbe (0-0, 2 saves, 0.92) vs. RHP John Hussey (0-2, 7.00)

Saturday at Fort Wayne, 4:00 p.m.

RHP Jonah Nickerson (3-4, 4.41) vs. RHP Steven Faris (1-2, 3.00)

Sunday at West Michigan, 2:00 p.m.

RHP Lauren Gagnier (2-5, 5.63) vs. LHP Nathan Culp (5-2, 2.70)

Monday at West Michigan, 2:00 p.m.

RHP Angel Castro (3-3, 2.42) vs. RHP Aaron Breit (2-5, 6.57)

The Davenport University Career Startup Show begins at 5:50 p.m. Friday on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 24, 2007


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