MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Eleventh inning home run drops the Whitecaps in Dayton

Published on June 10, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


DAYTON, OH - Jason Louwsma hit a lead off home run in the bottom of the 11th inning for Dayton, which beat the Whitecaps, 3-2 and pushed its lead in the Eastern Division back to 2.5 games over West Michigan.

The Whitecaps magic number remains at 6 to clinch a playoff berth as Lansing shut out South Bend, 1-0 and trimmed the 'Caps Wild Card lead to three games. Dayton has reduced its magic number to clinch the Eastern Division First Half Title to 6 versus West Michigan.

Jose Fragoso had a rough series in Dayton for the Whitecaps. He pitched twice, allowed three home runs (two put the Dragons ahead for good) and suffered both West Michigan losses as the 'Caps took three of four from the Dragons.

Fragoso's second pitch of the afternoon on Sunday was knocked out of the park by Louwsma.

Both teams came through with solid pitching throughout the game as Brennan Boesch led off the second with a single and came around to score on a ground out by Jeff Kunkle.

Dayton tied the game, 1-1 on back-to-back two out doubles by Drew Stubbs and Justin Turner in the third.

However Aleazar Aponte tossed six innings in his first start with the Whitecaps and allowed just two runs on seven hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.

Ed Clelland and Brett Jensen each threw two shutout innings of relief for West Michigan.

The Dragons benefited from eight innings on the mound by starter Rafael Gonzalez before Lee Tabor came on to throw three perfect innings of relief and earn the win as the last ten Whitecaps batters of the game were retired consecutively.

Ryan Strieby scored from third on an error on a pick off play at first in the top of the sixth inning. That run put West Michigan on top, 2-1 before Dayton catcher Tony Esquire delivered his third RBI single in the last two days to tie the game in the bottom of the inning.

It was only the second inning game of the season for the Whitecaps who beat Clinton at home, 4-3 in 11 innings on April 18. Dayton is 2-1 in extra innings this year.

The Loons are Coming: Great Lakes will play three games in two days at Fifth Third Ballpark. There will be a double header Monday to make up for a rainout May 15 at the Dow Diamond. Below are the expected pitching match ups for the series against the Loons:

(Great Lakes vs. West Michigan)

Monday, Game One, 6:35 p.m.

RHP Josh Wall (2-7, 5.23) vs. RHP Jonah Nickerson (4-5, 5.63)

Monday, Game Two,

TBA vs. RHP Lauren Gagnier (2-6, 5.96)

Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.

LHP Cody White (6-5, 2.98) vs. RHP Angel Castro (6-3, 2.39)

The Davenport University Career Startup Show begins at 6:25 p.m. prior to game one Monday on 1340 AM WBBL, the Whitecaps Radio Network and at wbbl.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 10, 2007


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