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MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Hernandez hits for the Cycle, Whitecaps win, 10-3

June 8, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


FT. WAYNE, IN - Mike Hernandez became just the second Whitecap in team history to hit for the cycle as West Michigan rolled to a 10-3 victory in Fort Wayne. The game was marred by a bench-clearing brawl that resulted in the ejections of five players.

Hernandez hit an RBI triple in the first inning, doubled in the third, homered in the fourth and singled in the sixth to complete the cycle.

Josh Lee is the only other player ever to accomplish the feat for West Michigan. Lee hit for the cycle on June 19, 2005 at South Bend.

Hernandez finished 4-for-5 and scored after all four hits to tie another team record. He is the 13th Whitecap to score four runs in a single game. The last to do so was Eric Rodland on August 2, 2004 at Dayton.

With the Whitecaps in front, 4-0 in the fourth, Fort Wayne pitcher Stevie Delabar hit a batter for the second time in the game to put Rafael Mendez on base. The next hitter, Pedro Cotto, ducked to avoid a 2-1 pitch.

Even though the pitch did not hit Cotto, he began to walk up the first base line and argued with Delabar. At that point, both benches and bullpens cleared. The first pushing and shoving occurred between Cotto and Fabian Jimenez, who was the starting pitcher for the Wizards in the series opener on Tuesday.

A second pile formed near the pitcher's mound. At the end of the ordeal, which prompted a 15-minute delay, Cotto was ejected along with four Wizards: Jimenez, Delabar, DH Kyle Blanks and relief pitcher Alfredo Fernandez, who is yet to appear in the series.

Nathan Staggs replaced Delabar and finished the at bat with a walk to pinch hitter Jeramy Laster. Staggs then gave up back-to-back home runs to Will Rhymes and Hernandez. It was the first back-to-back home runs for the Whitecaps since July 15, 2005 when Jeff Frazier and Wilkin Ramirez pulled it off against Dayton.

Amid the scuffle and offensive fireworks, Ramon Garcia returned to the hill for the Whitecaps after skipping a start. The left hander pitched five innings and allowed one run on six hits to earn the win, improve to 7-1 and maintain his Midwest League-best ERA, which now stands at 1.70.

Dusty Ryan also had a multi-hit game for West Michigan. He went 3-for-4 with a double, 2 RBI, a sacrifice fly and a run.

End of the Series: West Michigan concludes its four game series in Fort Wayne on Friday. RHP Sendy Vasquez (3-4, 2.93) will be on the mound for the Whitecaps against Wizards RHP Josh Geer (4-2, 3.90). First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The Whitecaps Pre Game Show begins at 6:50 p.m. on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.

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