MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Four home runs blast Whitecaps to playoff win

Published on September 5, 2007 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


LANSING - Jeramy Laster hit two of the four Whitecaps home runs that pushed West Michigan to a 6-2 win and a 1-0 lead in their best-of-three first round playoff series against Lansing.

Duane Below pitched 6.2 innings as the Whitecaps starter and allowed just two runs. Casey Fien threw 2.1 innings and faced the minimum seven batters to earn his a save.

Laster hit a two-run shot to a break a 1-1 tie in the sixth inning. He launched another two run blast in the eighth that helped break the game open. Ryan Strieby went back-to-back with Laster in the eighth as the 'Caps moved ahead, 6-2.

Scott Sizemore hit a solo home run in the first inning to put West Michigan in front, 1-0.

Travis Snider hit a solo home run for Lansing in the first, which tied the game, 1-1. Below issued three walks in the seventh, including one for an RBI that cut the lead to 3-2.

Following the 'Caps three run rally in the top of the eighth, Chris Emanauele hit a lead-off double for Lansing in the bottom of the inning that went off a tall portion of the wall in left-center field. Emanuele was in his home run trot when he realized the ball was in play and a moment later was tagged out while lunging for third base. He was the last base runner of the game for the Lugnuts.

Could Be a Clincher: The Whitecaps will host the second and third games for the best-of-three series, with a chance to advance if they win either contest. Below are the expected pitching match ups. Regular season statistics are shown:

(West Michigan vs. Lansing)

Game Two, Thursday at West Michigan, 7:00 p.m.

RHP Matt O'Brien (7-2, 2.19) vs. RHP Adrian Martin (2-2, 4 saves, 0.83)

Game Three, if necessary, Friday at West Michigan, 7:00 p.m.

RHP Jeff Gerbe (2-2, 2 saves, 2.34) vs. RHP Graham Godfrey (6-7, 3.98)

The Davenport University Career Start Up Show begins at 6:45 p.m. prior to each game on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.

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Midwest League Stories from September 5, 2007


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