MWL West Michigan Whitecaps

Five-Run Rally Caps Opening Night Win

April 13, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps rallied for five runs in the 11th inning to walk off the Lansing Lugnuts 11-10 in front of 4,077 ecstatic fans on opening night at LMCU Ballpark.

The come-from-behind win gives the Whitecaps game-tying or winning rallies in the late innings in each of the season's first four games. They have now scored 21 runs in the eighth inning or later in the first four contests of the 2022 campaign.

Jake Holton collected an RBI in the first inning before a fielding error highlighted a Lugnuts three-run second to forge Lansing in front by a score of 3-1. Whitecaps starter Keider Montero left the game in the second inning with an injury, but the 'Caps responded in the third as Cruz lined a two-run single before Meadows pounded a two-run homer to retake the 5-3 lead. Meadows tied himself for the Midwest League home run lead with his blast in the early frames.

Gio Arriera, Dario Gardea, and Gabriel Sequeira put up five scoreless innings before Lugnuts right fielder Jonny Butler tied the game on an RBI-single to send the contest to extra frames. Lansing scored four runs in the top of the 11th, featuring a Brett Harris two-RBI double to retake the 10-6 lead. Andrew Navigato, Mike Rothenberg, and Bryant Packard each drove in runs to cut the lead to 10-9 before Perez delivered the two-run walk-off double to put the finishing touches on the comeback and send the Whitecaps on to the 11-10 victory in front of a tremendous Opening Night crowd.

RJ Petit (1-1) collected his first win, going just one inning while allowing three earned runs while striking out two. Lansing Lugnuts starter Osvaldo Berrios allowed five earned runs through four innings pitched as reliever Daniel Martinez (0-2) suffered his second loss of 2022. The Whitecaps are one win away from tying the overall series against the Lansing Lugnuts at 203 wins per side. Meadows, Perez, and Cruz combined for seven RBIs as all-but-one Whitecap reached base in the extra-innings victory.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps continue this six-game series at LMCU Ballpark against the Lansing Lugnuts on Wednesday at 12:05 pm. West Michigan sends pitchers Jordan Marks and Wilmer Flores to the mound against the Lugnuts Joey Estes. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 11:50 am. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from April 13, 2022


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