MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Extra-Inning Win Trims Magic Number To One

Published on June 11, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps battled hard for 11 innings on Tuesday night, overcoming 15 runners left on base and extra-inning controversy to beat the Great Lakes Loons, 3-1, at Dow Diamond.

West Michigan (39-26) extended their season-high winning streak to seven games and trimmed their magic number to one with the victory over Great Lakes (30-35) and a rainout in Dayton. That means that with a win in at least one of the Whitecaps' remaining five games, West Michigan can clinch both their first playoff appearance since 2010 and their first 40-win half since 2009.

Tuesday's game was the league-leading 13th extra-inning contest for the 'Caps this season, extending into the 11th inning in a 1-1 tie.

With one out in the top of the 11th, Austin Schotts blasted a pitch deep to left field that hit near the top of the wall - but it was unclear whether it caromed high off the padded outfield wall or off the bottom portion of the railing that extends above the yellow line. Home plate umpire Matt Winter initially ruled a solo home run, but after an argument from Great Lakes and a conference between the umpires, the call was reversed to a triple by base umpire Marc Lindsey.

The call reversal was met with vehement opposition from the Whitecaps and manager Andrew Graham. But, when play resumed, Javier Betancourt fisted a base hit over the drawn-in infield and Schotts trotted home for the 2-1 lead after all. Later in the inning, a two-out error led to another run as West Michigan seized a 3-1 advantage.

Zac Reininger (1-0) contributed three shutout innings to earn the victory. After initially working out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the ninth and adding a 1-2-3 inning in the 10th, Reininger worked around a leadoff double in the 11th to slam the door shut.

Reininger combined with fellow reliever Julio Felix and starter Chad Green to limit the Loons to just five hits and one run in the game.

Great Lakes closer Mark Pope (1-1) took the loss. Despite entering the contest with just one run allowed and a 0.37 ERA on the season, Pope took the loss after allowing two runs - one earned - on two hits in 1.2 innings.

Prior to the bonus baseball, the story of the game was missed opportunities.

The Whitecaps won the race to the scoreboard on a two-out RBI-single by Wynton Bernard in the fifth, part of a 3-for-5 night that raised his batting average to .326. But West Michigan stranded 13 runners through the first eight innings. In addition to leaving the bases loaded in the fourth, the 'Caps also came up empty in a bases-loaded opportunity in the seventh after an inning-ending 5-2-3 double play.

The Loons had fewer opportunities, mustering just two hits through the first seven innings before a one-out double by Jesmuel Valentin led to the game-tying run in the bottom of the eighth. Great Lakes had their own opportunity to win with the bases loaded and just one out in the bottom of the ninth, but Reininger buckled down to strike out Webster Rivas and induce a foul-out from Dillon Moyer to force extra innings.

The Whitecaps continue their road trip on Wednesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Great Lakes Loons. All-Star RHP Jonathon Crawford (3-1, 2.18) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Greg Harris (4-4, 6.28) of Great Lakes. Following the road trip, the Whitecaps will host the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Classic at Fifth Third Ballpark on Tuesday, June 17. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with pre-game festivities before the 7:00 p.m. game. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from June 11, 2014


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