MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Fort Wayne forces Whitecaps to game three

Published on September 7, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK - There will be a decisive game three of the Whitecaps' first round playoff series against Fort Wayne after the Wizards shut out West Michigan, 4-0.

Wade LeBlanc pitched 5.2 innings to set the tone for Fort Wayne. He retired the first eleven Whitecaps batters of the game before Cameron Maybin broke through with a two out infield single in the fourth.

West Michigan did not advance a runner beyond second base at any point in the game.

With two out in the third inning, Fort Wayne put together three consecutive hits to take the lead: Singles by Mike Sansoe and Will Venable, then a two-run double by David Freese, which broke a scoreless tie.

Freese added a double and scored in the eighth inning to finish 2-for-4 with a walk.

Sansoe and Venable each had three hits for Fort Wayne and Seth Johnston led off the sixth with a triple then scored on a sacrifice fly by Daryl Jones.

For the second game in a row the Wizards used five pitchers. LeBlanc struck out seven, issued no walks and allowed just three hits.

Luke French took the loss for West Michigan with six innings on the mound and three runs allowed on seven hits with no walks and two strikeouts. French has dropped three consecutive starts to Fort Wayne.

It was the first playoff win for the Wizards since 2000.

Maybin Watch: Detroit Tigers 2005 first round pick Cameron Maybin has shined this season in centerfield for the Whitecaps. Below are his latest stats:

Thursday vs. Fort Wayne; 1-3, BB

Post Season: .500, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB, 2 R.

Backs to the Wall: For the first time this season, the Whitecaps face elimination with a decisive game three of the series on Friday at Fifth Third Ballpark. The winner of Friday's game will face Lansing in the Eastern Division Championship Series. RHP Sendy Vasquez (13-6, 2.97) will be on the mound for West Michigan against RHP Greg Burke (6-5, 3.58) for the Wiazrds. (Records shown are for the regular season.) An expanded playoff edition of The Whitecaps Pre Game Show begins at 6:45 p.m. on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from September 7, 2006


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central