MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Feeney, Whitecaps Take Two Of Three

April 13, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Trevor Feeney tossed seven strong innings and Jordan Lennerton delivered the go-ahead hit with two outs in the seventh inning on Tuesday as the West Michigan Whitecaps beat the Fort Wayne TinCaps, 3-2, in the rubber match of a three-game series at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (2-4) picked up their first series victory of the year in a match-up that saw all three games decided by just one run. Fort Wayne (3-3) was held in check by the "Caps pitching and defense, highlighted by a pair of diving catches by shortstop Hernan Perez in the first inning and outfielder Luis Salas at a critical juncture in the eighth.

The score was tied 2-2 when the Whitecaps rallied for the go-ahead run in the seventh. Perez led off with a single before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt and third on a groundout. With two away, Lennerton smacked a 1-0 pitch up the middle for a groundball single, plating Perez for a 3-2 lead.

Feeney (1-0) earned the win with another solid outing, racking up seven strikeouts over seven impressive innings. He allowed two runs on five hits without issuing a walk, with the only blemish coming on a two-run homer in the fifth.

Early on, Perez set the tone for a spectacular defensive afternoon. With a runner at second and one out in the top of the first, Fort Wayne's Edinson Rincon sent a soft liner towards shallow left. Perez broke towards the ball and made a highlight-reel diving catch on the outfield grass, doubling up the runner at second to end the threat.

The Whitecaps won the race to the scoreboard with single runs in the second and fourth innings. There were runners at first and second base in the second inning when Alexis Espinoza singled to center, and after the center fielder bobbled the ball Lennerton was able to round third and score. Two innings later, three consecutive two-out singles culminated with an RBI-knock by Salas for a 2-0 lead.

The TinCaps evened the score with one swing of the bat in the fifth. After a leadoff double by Jason Hagerty, Rymer Liriano turned on a pitch and drilled a two-run homer that snuck inside the foul pole down the left field line.

West Michigan rallied for the lead in the seventh, setting the stage for another defensive gem in the very next half inning. Bo Davis led off the eighth with a fly ball to left that appeared destined to drop in, but Salas raced towards the foul line and made a diving, full-extended catch to keep the first batter of the inning off base.

In the ninth, Melvin Mercedes (2) worked a 1-2-3 frame for his second save in three days.

Juan Oramas (0-1) suffered the loss for Fort Wayne, allowing the decisive seventh-inning run during three otherwise solid innings of work.

The Whitecaps hit the road for a three-game series in Bowling Green, Kentucky, starting with a 7:35 p.m. start against the Hot Rods on Wednesday, April 14. LHP Jade Todd (0-1, 8.10) will take the mound for West Michigan against Bowling Green RHP Jason McEachern (0-1, 5.79). The Whitecaps will be back at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday, April 17, to host the Great Lakes Loons for a 6:35 p.m. start on Autism Awareness Night, which will feature a jersey auction to help raise funds for the Autism Society of Kent County. Season, 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 April 13, 2010


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