Hernandez is player of the week; Whitecaps win Tuesday
August 2, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
SOUTH BEND, IN - When Cameron Maybin hit a solo home run in the fourth inning it seemed to be icing on the cake as the Whitecaps led, 7-2. But following a South Bend rally capped a by a two run blast from Justin Upton, Maybin's shot proved to be the difference as West Michigan prevailed, 7-6.
The opposite field home run was Maybin's sixth of the season.
Sendy Vasquez left the game as the Whitecaps starting pitcher after five innings with the Whitecaps in front, 7-3. But reliever Matt Rusch allowed a home run for the first time this season when Steve Mena hit Rusch's first pitch of the game out of the park to left in the sixth inning.
Later in the sixth, Upton hit a two-run shot off Rusch, which cut the lead to 7-6.
Rusch pitched into the seventh, but Ricky Steik recorded the final out in the seventh and had a perfect eighth. Steik turned the game over to Orlando Perdomo who earned his Midwest League leading 26th when he retired the side in order in the ninth inning.
West Michigan took its fist lead on back-to-back hits by Mike Hollimon - an RBI triple, and Justin Justice - an RBI double in the top of the second.
South Bend tied the game in the bottom of the inning. Vasquez hit Leyson Septimo with a pitch while the bases were loaded to tie the score, 2-2.
However, a four-run third put the Whitecaps back on top. Matt Joyce and Mark Haske each had two-run singles in the third.
The Whitecaps have won six in a row for the fifth time this season.
Player of the Week: For the second time this season, Whitecaps designated hitter Mike Hernandez is the Midwest League Offensive Player of the Week. The following commentary appears on minorleaguebaseball.com:
"Hernandez receives Player of the Week honors on the strength of two monster games. On Tuesday, the 22-year-old hit for the cycle for the second time this season and drove in five runs as West Michigan blanked Peoria, 10-0. Five days later, Hernandez went 4-for-6 with two homers and seven RBIs as the Whitecaps pounded Clinton, 13-6."
His totals for the week ending Sunday:
12-for-31, (.387), 3 2B, 3B, 3 HR, 13 RBI, .839 slugging percentage.
Maybin Watch: Detroit Tigers 2005 first round pick Cameron Maybin has shined this season in centerfield for the Whitecaps. Below are his latest stats:
Tuesday at South Bend; 2-5, HR, RBI, R
Season: .328, 16 2B, 5 3B, 6 HR, 53 RBI, 24 SB.
Below are the expected pitching match ups for the rest of the series against the Silver Hawks:
(West Michigan vs. South Bend)
Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.
RHP Josh Rainwater (6-3, 3.91) vs. RHP Matt Torra (0-1, 9.00)
Wednesday, 7:00 p.m.
LHP Erik Averill (7-4, 3.76) vs. RHP Adam Howard (6-2, 3.67)
Thursday, 7:00 p.m.
RHP Burke Badenhop (11-2, 2.92) vs. RHP Anthony Cupps (7-4, 4.82)
The Whitecaps Pre Game Show begins at 6:50 p.m. prior to each game on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.
Midwest League Stories from August 2, 2006
- Bees snap losing streak - Burlington Bees
- Griffin, Hernandez, Dragons pound Beloit, 8-2 - Dayton Dragons
- Freese leads Wizards to 14-3 win over Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Snappers pound Dragons - Beloit Sky Carp
- Taylor goes the distance in Chiefs 6-2 win - Peoria Chiefs
- Hawks defeat weather, Whitecaps - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Six game winning streak ends in South Bend - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Maybin Headlines Best Tools List; Walbeck and Garcia Also Tabbed - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Swing Topple Lugnuts Again - Lansing Lugnuts
- Devil Rays defeat Best in the West Again - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Cougars' Comeback Falls Short - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs use long ball to sink Kernels, 5-3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Hernandez is player of the week; Whitecaps win Tuesday - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Another four-run frame keys Swing win - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Live Music at Pohlman Field August 25th - Beloit Sky Carp
- Diaz activated from DL, will pitch tonight at Peoria - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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.
