MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Elvin Exits in 3-1 Win

Published on August 20, 2018 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


EASTLAKE, OH - The West Michigan Whitecaps lost starting pitcher Elvin Rodriguez with an injury but managed to salvage the final game of a three-game series with a 3-1 victory over the Lake County Captains on Monday night at Classic Park.

The victory, combined with a loss by Fort Wayne earlier in the day, pushes the Whitecaps into a tie for one of the two potential playoff spots available in the second-half race of the Midwest League Eastern Division.

In the fourth inning of a scoreless tie, Jordan Pearce gave the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead with an opposite-field RBI-single to score Brady Policelli. Meanwhile, "Caps starting pitcher Elvin Rodriguez cruised through five scoreless innings while striking out six before Gabriel Mejia's leadoff single was lined off Rodriguez's lower leg, forcing him to leave the game on a cart to assist him. Clate Schmidt entered the ballgame and tossed three scoreless innings, including a strikeout of Cleveland Indians prospect Will Benson with the potential tying run at third base to end the 8th. In the ninth, an RBI-single by Anthony Pereira and a bases-loaded walk to Reece Hampton gave West Michigan the insurance it needed and finished off taking the final game of a three-game series.

Rodriguez (7-7) earns his seventh win of the season, tossing five scoreless innings while striking out six before being forced to leave the contest. Jean Carlos Mejia (4-7) took a tough-luck loss despite throwing seven innings of one-run baseball while striking out nine. Johan Belisario allowed a run in the ninth but managed to earn his third save of the season. The Whitecaps improve to 63-63 overall and 27-29 in the second half standings. Lake County falls to 53-73 in 2018 and 24-32 in the second half. Pearce led the "Caps offense with a 3-for-4 performance at the plate.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps return home for a seven-game homestand beginning with a three-game series against the Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Ballpark Tuesday at 7:05 pm. The Whitecaps Jesus Rodriguez gets the start against Dragons pitcher Jared Solomon. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 20, 2018


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