Hawks Can't Sweep 'Caps, Fall 9-2

Published on July 9, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
South Bend Silver Hawks News Release


South Bend, IN - After allowing the South Bend Silver Hawks to rally two nights in a row, the West Michigan Whitecap offense made sure it wouldn't happen again. The Whitecaps blew open a close game with five runs in the seventh to defeat South Bend 9-2 Friday night at Coveleski Stadium.

With the Silver Hawks down 3-1, South Bend starter Eric Smith (LP, 5-5) began the seventh by loading the bases on a single, walk, and sacrifice bunt where the batter Jeff Rowland still reached on a fielder's choice. Wade Gaynor picked up a RBI on a fielder's choice to increase the lead before Smith recorded the second out on another fielder's choice.

Rafael Quezada (ND) then relieved Smith to face left-handed hitter Tony Plagman. However, Plagman blasted a three-run homer to right-center field, his third of the season, to give West Michigan a comfortable 7-1 lead. The Whitecaps added another run in the seventh on a RBI triple by Robert Brantly and scored once more off Quezada in the eighth to take a 9-1 lead.

For the third consecutive game, the Whitecaps scored first with two runs in the second. Plagman scored on a Hernan Perez RBI single while Jimmy Gulliver drove home Robert Brantly with a sacrifice fly to put West Michigan up 2-0. After Bobby Borchering's RBI single in the third cut the deficit in half, the Whitecaps struck again against Smith in the fifth on a Wade Gaynor's run scoring single.

Smith's control was shaky from the beginning of the game, as he walked a season-high five batters. All in all, he threw 6.2 innings while allowing six earned runs on five hits while striking out only one. After Quezada's shaky outing, Randy Rodriguez (ND) tossed a scoreless ninth.

West Michigan starter Victor Larez (WP, 5-7) was effective, throwing 5.0 innings of one-run ball while striking out seven. Jordan Pratt tossed 2.0 scoreless innings of relief, while Zach Samuels surrendered only a RBI single to Matt Davidson in his 2.0 innings of work.

South Bend first baseman Ramon Castillo went 0-for-4 to end his team high hitting streak at 16 games, two shy of the league high.

The Silver Hawks begin a nine game road trip tomorrow night against the Fort Wayne TinCaps (San Diego Padres) 7:05 PM. RHP Andrew Wolcott (0-1, 9.00 ERA) will make his second start for South Bend while Fort Wayne counters with LHP Mike Watt (4-4, 3.80 ERA). Pregame coverage begins at 6:45 PM Eastern Time on 1620 ESPN Radio and online at www.silverhawks.com.

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Midwest League Stories from July 9, 2010


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