Fourth Straight Loss for the Whitecaps

Published on May 29, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK - Jordan Norberto avenged a rough start to the season against the Whitecaps by earning the victory in South Bend's 7-3 triumph over West Michigan. On opening night, April 3, Norberto allowed ten runs (3 ER) in the first inning of a loss to the ‘Caps in South Bend. On Thursday, Norberto allowed just two runs on three hits in two innings to pick up the victory, which was his first of the season.

For the Whitecaps, the defeat is the fourth in a row and matches the team's longest losing streak of the year. Lauren Gagnier took the loss and fell to 1-5, matching the record of Norberto. After the Whitecaps scored a run on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Peter in the bottom of the third to go ahead, 1-0, Gagnier allowed a pair of unearned runs in the top of the fourth.

Gagnier committed the only error in the inning when he made a low throw to second in an attempt to start an inningending double play. As the ball bounced through to center field, Eli Rumler advanced home from second base to tie the game. Gagnier later balked with the bases loaded to drive in the go-ahead run.

Casper Wells hit a solo home run to lead off the bottom of the fourth for West Michigan, which tied the score at 2-2. Wells leads the team with eight homers, but it was his first long ball since May 13 and his first RBI since May 14. South Bend took the lead for good in the sixth inning on a two-run homer by Chance Wheeless. Another pair of runs scored off reliever Wilton Garcia on a single by Mike Mee in the seventh, which gave the Silver Hawks a 6-2 advantage. West Michigan has lost four in a row for the first time since April 12-14 and has dropped four straight home games for the first time since June 11-15, 2007.

Midwest League Stories from May 29, 2008

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• Chiefs Rhee Returns From DL For Friday Start - Peoria Chiefs
• Loons send Lansing to third straight defeat - Lansing Lugnuts
• Folli clubs first Tiki Bomb in Bandits win - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Chiefs top Kernels 7-4 Thursday Night - Peoria Chiefs
• Bees Have Just Three Hits In Loss - Burlington Bees
• Loons Win Third Straight - Great Lakes Loons
• Cougars Lose Pitchers Duel - Kane County Cougars
• Wizards End Dragons' Winning Streak at Three, 8-3 - Dayton Dragons
• New Sno-Cones for Grown-Ups Now Available at Modern Woodmen Park - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Hometown Hitter Contest Resumes June 2 - Great Lakes Loons
• Garate Re-Added to Loons' Roster - Great Lakes Loons
• Fourth Straight Loss for the Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Birthday Parties Quickly Becoming a Huge Success - Beloit Sky Carp
• Principal Financial Group Family Fun Fest Returns to the Cove - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Brian Joynt promoted to Lake Elsinore - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Chiefs Fall to Kernels 5-3 - Peoria Chiefs

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.

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