MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Field's Walk-Off Homer Stuns Whitecaps

Published on July 9, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


BOWLING GREEN, KY - The West Michigan Whitecaps led for 8-1/2 innings on Wednesday night before a walk-off home run by Johnny Field of the Bowling Green Hot Rods sent the 'Caps to a stunning 4-3 loss at Bowling Green Ballpark.

West Michigan (11-8, 52-37) got strong pitching until the final frame, but Bowling Green (7-12, 39-49) was able to hang around long enough to land the final blow.

The turning point may have come in the fourth inning.

The 'Caps build an early lead in the first on a two-out RBI-double by Dominic Ficociello and a run-scoring groundball single by Wynton Bernard. The lead grew to 3-0 in the top of the fourth when Bernard reached base on a two-out single and Hot Rods' starter Bruedlin Suero issued three consecutive walks, the last of which forced in a run.

Suero was on the ropes as Francisco Contreras came to the plate looking to blow the game open. He sent a liner to right-center that threatened to plate at least two runs, but center fielder Spencer Edwards raced into the alley and made a sprawling, shoestring catch to squelch the rally.

As it turned out, the catch also saved the game.

Bowling Green countered with a pair of the runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut the deficit to 3-2.

The slim margin remained all the way into the bottom of the ninth, when the Whitecaps turned to Joe Mantiply to close out the game.

Kean Wong led off with a single and later took second on an errant pickoff attempt. After fouling off a series of pitches, Field then drove a 1-2 fastball the other way for a walk-off two-run homer.

Mantiply (5-3) suffered the blown save and the loss, facing two batters without recording an out in the bottom of the ninth.

The late turn of events spoiled an otherwise impressive pitching performance for West Michigan. Starter Chad Green gave up two runs over six strong innings, striking out four and inducing a pair of double play balls without issuing a walk. Reliever Julio Felix added two shutout frames after Green's departure to stretch his scoreless innings streak to 17.2, a season-high for a Whitecaps' reliever.

But the Hot Rods bullpen was just a little bit better. After Suero was chased from the game, Bowling Green relievers William Gabay and Brad Schreiber (2-5) combined to throw five scoreless innings. The duo did not issue a walk or allow a runner to reach scoring position, keeping the home team in the game until Field's walk-off blow in the ninth.

The Whitecaps continue their 10-game road trip on Thursday night with an 8:05 p.m. ET first pitch against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. RHP Jonathon Crawford (4-2, 3.15) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against LHP Ben Griset (0-5, 4.13) of Bowling Green. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark will be on Wednesday, July 16, at 7:00 p.m. featuring the interactive Aces in the Outfield promotion and post-game Family Fare fireworks. 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 July 9, 2014


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