Early offense holds up in Whitecaps win
June 22, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
BURLINGTON, IA - West Michigan grabbed a 7-1 lead in the fourth inning and used 11 strikeouts from the bullpen to survive three errors for an 8-4 victory in Burlington. It was the fourth win in a row for the Whitecaps.
Three âCaps relievers combined to strike out 11 batters in the last four innings. Josh Rainwater struck out five over two innings before Ricky Steik and Anthony Claggett struck out three each in single innings of work to close out the game.
Fourteen strikeouts in one game matches a season high for the West Michigan pitching staff, which struck out 14 in a 16-inning battle with Beloit on May 10.
Mike Hernandez missed hitting for the cycle for what would have been the second time in two weeks and just the third time in Whitecaps history. Hernandez doubled in the first, had an RBI single in the second and hit a solo home run in the seventh inning to set up a shot at the cycle in the ninth. However, Hernandez grounded to second to end the inning. He completed the cycle June 8 at Fort Wayne.
Dusty Ryan also went deep for the Whitecaps to lead off the second inning and make the lead, 3-1.
Pedro Cotto was a factor as both teams scored in the first inning. He hit a two-run double in the top of the first to put West Michigan on top. But Cotto dropped a ball that could have been the third out in the bottom of the first inning but instead allowed Mario Lisson to score and cut the lead in half, 2-1.
Matt Joyce hit went 2-for-4 and made a diving catch in right field for the Whitecaps. Joyce had a pair of doubles and an RBI.
Carlos Sosa, who on May 6 pitched seven innings against the Whitecaps and allowed just one run to earn the victory, suffered the loss on Thursday with seven runs allowed (6 ER) on nine hits in just four innings on the mound.
Midwest League Stories from June 22, 2006
- Beloit takes down Lansing, 4-3 - Lansing Lugnuts
- New half - same result: Kernels fall in extra innings - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Cougars bite Rattlers with Martinez slam - Kane County Cougars
- Bees Drop Series Opener to West Michigan - Burlington Bees
- Rattlers get slammed to start second half - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Early offense holds up in Whitecaps win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Beloit defeats Lansing 4-3 - Beloit Sky Carp
- Tight battle goes to Devil Rays - Clinton LumberKings
- Swing pitch in for four hit shutout - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons rally ends short, lose 10-7 - Dayton Dragons
- Miller tosses three shutout innings in Chiefs loss - Peoria Chiefs
- Garcia promoted to Palm Beach - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Maybin's Future is Now - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Catcher Farina, Outfielder Price Added to Roster - Peoria Chiefs
- Whitecaps Playoff Tickets On Sale Tuesday, June 27 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Return of the âHawk' - Butcher and Cruz ship out - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Garcia named to Futures Game roster - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Swing get first 2006 draftee of season - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Jason St. Clair Activated - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
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.
