MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Fast Start Helps Whitecaps To Big Road Win

Published on May 16, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


DAYTON, OH - The West Michigan Whitecaps jumped out to an early lead and hung on for a 6-4 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Thursday night, clinching their first road series of the year by winning the rubber match of the three-game set at Fifth Third Field.

The win was a meaningful one for a West Michigan (17-20) team that has struggled to a 7-12 record on the road this season. Thanks to their first back-to-back road wins of the year, the 'Caps finished their longest road trip of the season with a 4-4 record.

West Michigan jumped all over Dayton (13-26) starter Pedro Diaz with a five-run outburst in the second inning.

Jeff Holm started the rally with a leadoff walk, reaching base for his 31st consecutive game since July of last season. Lance Durham and Mario Martinez followed with back-to-back doubles, giving the 'Caps a 1-0 lead with runners at second and third.

Following a strikeout and an infield pop-out, however, it looked like Diaz might be able to limit the damage.

But Jared Reaves extended the inning with a quality plate appearance, working the count full before drawing a walk to load the bases. Austin Schotts then took four straight balls to force in a run, and a wild pitch brought another run home to make it 3-0. Another walk to Vasquez reloaded the bases, and Devon Travis smacked a two-run double that staked the Whitecaps to a 5-0 lead.

One inning later, Durham blasted a solo homer to left that stretched the advantage to 6-0.

Starter Edgar De La Rosa took benefitted from the early cushion and cruised into the middle innings, carrying a three-hit shutout into the sixth before the Dragons finally broke through. After a pair of one-out singles in the sixth, Dayton's Jesse Winker drilled a three-run homer to left-center that cut the lead in half.

Over the next three innings, the Whitecaps' bullpen came up big.

In the seventh inning, Logan Ehlers entered the game with the bases loaded and two outs and induced an inning-ending fielder's choice to maintain the 6-3 lead. He was removed in the eighth after giving up a pair of singles that led to a run, but Brennan Smith came in and limited the Dragons' rally to leave West Michigan with a 6-4 edge.

There was no such noise in the ninth thanks to closer Jose Valdez (7), who struck out the side to end the night.

De La Rosa (2-0) picked up the win with a quality start, allowing three runs on six hits over six innings. He struck out two without issuing a walk.

Diaz (0-4) took the loss after being shelled for six runs on five hits over 2.1 frames.

The Whitecaps return to Fifth Third Ballpark on Friday night to open a four-day homestand with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. RHP Charlie Gillies (0-1, 2.08) is scheduled to take the mound for West Michigan against LHP Sean Bierman (2-1, 1.80) of the Hot Rods. The ballgame will feature an Avisail Garcia bobblehead doll giveaway for the first 1,000 fans through the gates. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 16, 2013


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