First inning homer leads to Whitecaps win number 80
Published on August 21, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK - For the fifth time in Whitecaps history, West Michigan has won eighty games in a season. The âCaps used a first inning home run by Justin Justice to beat Lansing, 3-1.
Justice hit a three run shot (his 6th) that cleared the DTE Energy Deck in right field for a 3-0 West Michigan lead in the first inning.
The only Lansing run of the night came in the third inning when Burke Badenhop hit Jesus Gonzalez with a pitch to lead off. Gonzalez came around to score on a fielder's choice ground out by Zach Kalter.
Badenhop went on to pitch six innings and earn the victory to improve to 13-3 on the season.
Matt Rusch threw two scoreless innings of relief for West Michigan and Anthony Claggett was perfect in the ninth to earn his ninth save.
This is the first time since 2002 when the team finished 83-57 that the Whitecaps have won 80 or more games.
At 80-45, the âCaps have reduced their magic number to clinch the best overall record in the Midwest League to 6, pending the outcome of Kane County's game against Cedar Rapids.
Midwest League Stories from August 21, 2006
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- Hochevar dominates, Bees win - Burlington Bees
- Recker's homer lifts Cougars in 11th - Kane County Cougars
- Hochevar, Bees knock Swing out of first - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Justice's homer lifts Caps to win - Lansing Lugnuts
- First inning homer leads to Whitecaps win number 80 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Late home run downs Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Rattlers rally from deficit to beat Dragons 5-4 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Devil Rays shutout by Peoria - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Third times a charm for Vern Sterry - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Will Venable Named Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Kernels score five in the sixth, hold on for 6-5 win - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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