MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Farmer, Robertson Lead Whitecaps To Another Win

May 6, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - After winning a franchise-record 18-inning contest on Monday, the Whitecaps were happy to play a relatively uneventful nine-inning game on Tuesday, benefitting from good pitching and timely hitting in a 3-1 victory over the Lake County Captains at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Winners in nine of their last 11 games, West Michigan (19-13) clinched a fourth consecutive series victory and will go for the sweep with an 11:00 a.m. contest on Wednesday morning. Though Lake County (9-23) mounted a number of threats, Whitecaps' pitching was able to strand 12 runners on base and hold the Captains hitless in 12 at-bats with runners in scoring position.

Starter Buck Farmer (4-2) may not have been his usual dominant self, but the 23-year-old right-hander still managed to earn his fourth win and turn in a fifth consecutive quality start - both of which are team-leading totals. Though he was touched for a solo home run by Paul Hendrix in the second, the longball represented the only run Farmer allowed over six gutty innings. He gave up six hits and walked three but struck out six and stranded eight runners on base during his time on the mound.

In the process, Farmer increased his strikeout total to a league-leading 49 punch-outs over 35.2 innings. His 12.36 strikeouts per nine innings also leads the Midwest League and his 2.02 ERA ranks seventh.

While Farmer was frustrating the Lake County lineup, the Whitecaps' offense got two-hit games from Dominic Ficociello, Ben Verlander and Tyler Gibson in the middle of the order.

Trailing 1-0, Gibson sparked a fourth-inning rally with a leadoff bunt-single and advanced to third on a hit-and-run bouncer through the left side by Willy Adames. Bennett Pickar tied the score on a slow-rolling groundout up the first base line and, later in the inning, a sacrifice fly from Brett Harrison gave West Michigan a 2-1 lead.

In the seventh, Harold Castro doubled and scored on a two-out single by Ficociello to add a key insurance run for a 3-1 advantage.

Following Farmer's outing, reliever Montreal Robertson worked the final third of the game to help save a weary bullpen following the previous night's 18-inning marathon. Robertson worked three shutout frames to earn his fifth save in as many tries, striking out four while walking two and allowing two hits.

Lake County's Dace Kime (0-5) was charged with two runs on four hits over 4.1 innings for the loss.

The Whitecaps continue a six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with an 11:00 a.m. School Day on Wednesday morning against the Lake County Captains. RHP Austin Kubitza (3-0, 2.15) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Jordan Milbrath (1-1, 1.26) of Lake County. It will also be an SA Advisory Group Silver Slugger Day featuring half-price box and reserved seats for those 50 years and older. 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



Midwest League Stories from May 6, 2014


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