MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Following Delay, Winning Streak Snapped At Seven

Published on June 12, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The champagne will have to remain on ice for at least one more night.

Following a two-hour and one-minute pre-game rain delay, the West Michigan Whitecaps had their seven-game winning streak snapped with a 7-0 loss to the Great Lakes Loons on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The magic number to clinch a post-season berth remains at one for West Michigan (39-27), meaning that one Whitecaps' win or one loss by Dayton over the final four days of the first half will secure a trip to the Midwest League playoffs. Wednesday's loss to Great Lakes (31-35) also knocked the Whitecaps out of first place, dropping West Michigan to a half-game behind South Bend atop the MWL-East standings. The top two teams at the end of each half quality for the playoffs.

Wednesday's defeat marked the first time the 'Caps allowed more than two runs in a game since June 2 and the first time they trailed by more than two runs in a game since May 27.

Following the lengthy rain delay, the Loons were able to jump on Whitecaps' starter Jonathon Crawford for four runs over the first two innings.

Paul Heonecke opened the scoring with an RBI-double in the first inning, but the real damage was done during a three-run rally in the second. Great Lakes loaded the bases with one out and eventually brought all three runners home. After a wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, Jacob Scavuzzo chopped a bouncing ball over the third baseman for a double that pushed the Loons' lead to 4-0.

Despite the rocky start, Crawford (3-2) bounced back from there and set down the next 12 batters he faced before a two-out single in the sixth chased him from the game. The early damage was enough to deal him the loss, however. Crawford was charged with four runs on five hits over 5.2 innings, suffering his first loss and allowing more than two runs in an outing for the first time since his Midwest League debut on April 4.

Meanwhile, the tandem starting duo of Greg Harris (5-4) and Victor Arano (3) took advantage of the early lead and combined for a six-hit shutout.

Harris got it started with just two hits allowed over five innings. Arano took over in the sixth and threw the final four frames, stranding the bases loaded in the sixth to start a stretch in which he retired 11 straight batters between the sixth and ninth innings.

The Loons tacked on some insurance late with a run in the eighth and two more in the ninth to reach the 7-0 final, handing the Whitecaps their fifth shutout loss of the season.

The Whitecaps continue their road trip on Thursday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Great Lakes Loons. All-Star RHP Buck Farmer (6-4, 2.60) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Jonathan Martinez (4-5, 3.76) of Great Lakes. Following the road trip, the Whitecaps will host the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Classic at Fifth Third Ballpark on Tuesday, June 17. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with pre-game festivities before the 7:00 p.m. game. 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 June 12, 2014


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