MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Former Commodores Twirl Three-Hit Shutout

July 21, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Kevin Ziomek struck out a career-high 11 batters and combined with his college teammate on a three-hit shutout as the Whitecaps avoided a three-game sweep with a 2-0 win over the Burlington Bees on Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (19-11, 60-40) finished the homestand at 4-2 and improved their home record to 35-17 despite losing a series at Fifth Third Ballpark for just the second time this half. While the Burlington (16-14, 54-45) pitching was excellent in all three games, the Whitecaps' hurlers were just a bit better on Monday.

Ziomek and Adam Ravenelle, who were teammates at Vanderbilt University just last season, combined to throw a three-hit shutout while striking out 14 batters and retiring the final 18 hitters of the night.

Ziomek (8-6), a second-round pick in 2013, racked up 11 punch-outs over seven scoreless innings and allowed just three hits with one walk. Ravanelle (1), a fourth-round pick in 2014, followed with the two-inning save after setting down all six of the batters he faced. It was just the second professional appearance for Ravenelle, who was making his Midwest League debut.

The big sequence of the game came in the fourth inning.

Burlington threatened with men at second and third and just one out in the top of the frame, but Ziomek countered with consecutive strikeouts to escape the jam.

The Bees were unable to put another runner on base, but the Whitecaps countered moments later with the only rally of the night.

Javier Betancourt led off the bottom of the fourth with a fly ball off the top of the wall in left, missing a home run by inches and settling for a stand-up triple. Dominic Ficociello brought him home with an infield single and Grayson Greiner later added a sacrifice fly to give West Michigan the 2-0 lead.

The fourth-inning rally accounted for nearly all of the Whitecaps' offense. Burlington pitchers limited the 'Caps to just four hits on the night, three of which came from the first three batters of the inning.

The Bees' Harrison Cooney (8-5), who entered the game with a league-leading 2.26 ERA, took the loss despite allowing just two runs in six solid innings.

The Whitecaps have Tuesday off before completing their interdivisional schedule with a six-game road trip that starts on Wednesday night with a 7:30 p.m. ET against the Clinton LumberKings RHP Chad Green (3-3, 3.53) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against LHP Eddie Campbell (5-7, 5.92) of Clinton. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark will be at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 29, featuring 10-cent hot dogs, entertainment from the ZOOperstars and the Van Andel Institute's Purple Night. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from July 21, 2014


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