Garcia Reaches Five Times as 'Caps Cruise
Published on July 25, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Avisail Garcia reached base in all five of his plate appearances and drove in two key insurance runs late in the game to lead the West Michigan Whitecaps to an 8-4 win over the Beloit Snappers at Fifth Third Ballpark on Sunday.
In addition to Garcia's 3-for-3 day that included two runs and two RBI, Tony Plagman went 2-for-3 with two runs scored to highlight a 10-hit West Michigan (9-20, 35-63) attack. Garcia and Plagman also drew a pair of walks each as Beloit (12-15, 49-47) issued nine free passes on the afternoon.
The Whitecaps led wire-to-wire on Sunday, jumping out to a lead in the bottom of the first. Michael Rockett and Plagman each singled before Garcia drew a walk that loaded the bases with two outs. Clay Jones then coaxed a free pass to force in the first run. Hernan Perez followed with a bouncer to the first baseman, but the pitcher covering the bag dropped the throw as two runs scored for a 3-0 West Michigan lead.
Wade Gaynor added a sacrifice fly in the second for a 4-0 advantage, but the Snappers countered with single runs in the third and fourth innings to trim the Whitecaps' margin to 4-2.
In the fifth, the 'Caps went back to work. Singles by Garcia and Jones opened the frame and both runners scored on a bouncing-ball double past third by Perez that pushed the lead to 6-2.
Beloit's Danny Rams made it a 6-4 game with a two-out, two-run single in the seventh as the Snappers continued to charge back.
In the bottom of the eighth, however, West Michigan put the game out of reach. Gaynor drew a one-out walk to start the rally and moved to second on a base hit by Plagman. Garcia then delivered the big blow, clubbing a two-run double into the gap in left-center for the decisive 8-4 margin.
The extra cushion proved to be important as the Snappers loaded the bases in the ninth before reliever Kenny Faulk induced a game-ending pop-out to seal the victory.
Jared Wesson (3-1) earned the win with six innings of work, allowing four runs on six hits while walking six and striking out two.
Clint Dempster (1-1) suffered the loss, issuing five walks over two frames and giving up four runs - two earned - on three hits.
The Whitecaps conclude a six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the finale of a three-game series against the Beloit Snappers (Twins) at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 26. RHP Victor Larez (6-8, 4.44) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Miguel Munoz (7-5, 4.83) of the Snappers. Fans bringing church or community bulletins will receive half-priced box or reserved seats thanks to All Faiths Night presented by JQ 99 FM. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.
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