First place slips away from the Whitecaps

May 14, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

LANSING - West Michigan grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the fifth inning, but could manage no additional offense to speak of in a 3-1 loss at Lansing. The defeat drops the Whitecaps a half-game behind the Lugnuts and out of first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division.

Will Rhymes scored the Whitecaps' only run when he was nearly hit by an RBI single off the bat of Mike Hollimon. Shortstop Jesus Gonzalez was screened on the play by Rhymes. The ball went into shallow left field and allowed Rhymes to come home from second.

In the bottom of the fifth, Lansing rallied to take the lead. Anthony Hatch tripled with one out. Sean Shoffit and Brian Bormaster each had RBI in the inning as the Lugnuts moved in front, 2-1.

Starting pitcher Erik Averill went six innings and allowed two runs on just three hits but took the loss for West Michigan.

Lansing starter Aaron Tressler earned a no decision, but contributed 4.2 innings with no earned runs allowed. Three other Lugnuts pitcher combined to keep the Whitecaps off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.

An insurance run was added by the Lugnuts in the eighth inning when Gonzalez scored on a single by Cory Patton.

Rain, Rain, Go Away: The start of the game was delayed 1 hour and 6 minutes by rain.

Maybin Watch: Tigers top draft pick (2005) Cameron Maybin did not play in Saturday's game.

Current Stats: .330 average; 7 2B; 4 3B; 1 HR; 19 RBI; 6 SB.

Last of the Half: The final meeting of the first half between the top two teams in the Midwest League Eastern Division is Monday night in Lansing. LHP Chi-Hung Chen (5-2, 3.24) will be on the mound for the Lugnuts. RHP Burke Badenhop (3-0, 3.97) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. The Whitecaps Pre Game Show will begin at 6:55 p.m. Monday on 1340 AM WBBL, on the Whitecaps Radio Network and at wbbl.com.

Midwest League Stories from May 14, 2006

• Kernels snap skid against LumberKings - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Kernels return home May 16th - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Lansford Fires No-Hitter for Cougars - Kane County Cougars
• Snappers and Cougars Split Doubleheader - Beloit Sky Carp
• Lugnuts Slip By Whitecaps - Lansing Lugnuts
• Adenhart Bests Poveda in Pitcher's Duel - Clinton LumberKings
• First place slips away from the Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Chiefs Hit, Pitch Way Past South Bend - Peoria Chiefs
• Hawks brought down by Chiefs - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Rain continues to pour on Swin - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Bees and Swing Rained Out - Burlington Bees
• Community Basket Drawing Postponed - Burlington Bees
• Samuels returns from DL - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Alliant Energy Field passes inspection - Clinton LumberKings
• No Baseball for Mom Today - Dayton Dragons
• Timber Rattlers rained out again - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Kernels drop second straight to lowly LumberKings - Cedar Rapids Kernels

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