MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Green, Whitecaps Out-Dueled By Rattlers' Duo

April 10, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - For eight innings, the West Michigan Whitecaps and the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers battled to a scoreless pitchers' duel on Wednesday afternoon.

That changed quickly in the ninth inning, when the Timber Rattlers rallied for three runs to snatch a 3-0 victory in the rubber match of a three-game series at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (3-4) got a stellar performance from starting pitcher Chad Green, but it was the tandem starting duo of Tristan Archer and Barrett Astin that combined to throw a three-hit shutout for Wisconsin (4-3).

With a scoreless tie in the top of the ninth inning, Francisco Castillo started the game-winning rally with a flare-single to center against Whitecaps' reliever Matt Davenport. After a lineout, Taylor Brennan reached base on a bouncer to the right side of the infield that was mishandled into a fielding error by first baseman Dominic Ficociello.

A pitching change brought Montreal Robertson into the fray, but the hard-throwing right-hander saw the game slip away on his first two pitches. His first offering was off-speed and up in the zone, resulting in a run-scoring double by Jose Pena. The next pitch was ripped down the left field line by Clint Coulter for a two-run double that suddenly staked the Timber Rattlers to a 3-0 lead.

Astin (2-0) earned the win for Wisconsin after entering the game in the sixth and facing the minimum 12 batters required to navigate through his four innings of work. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out three and allowed just one baserunner, quickly erasing a leadoff single in the seventh by inducing a groundball double play from the next batter.

Prior to Astin, Timber Rattlers' starter Tristan Archer dealt five shutout innings while allowing two hits and walking three.

Davenport (0-1) was saddled with the loss for West Michigan, giving up two runs - one earned - on one hit over 1.1 innings out of the bullpen.

Overshadowed by the late drama was Green's effort for the Whitecaps. The 22-year-old out of Louisville allowed just four baserunners in seven shutout innings, giving up four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. He threw 55 of his 73 pitches for strikes and retired 14 consecutive batters at one point.

The Whitecaps continue their first homestand of the season with a 6:35 p.m. first pitch on Friday night against the Beloit Snappers at Fifth Third Ballpark. RHP Jonathon Crawford, the Detroit Tigers' first-round pick in the 2013 draft, is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Kyle Finnegan of the Snappers. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from April 10, 2014


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