MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Hot Rods stymie Whitecaps in series opener

Published on May 17, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - The West Michigan Whitecaps offense couldn't get anything going on Friday night.

The Whitecaps were shutout for just the second time this season in a 4-0 loss to the Bowling Green Hot Rods in front of 6,190 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark in the first of a five-game series. Sunday is a doubleheader.

West Michigan (17-21) had nine hits, but only once got a runner to third base.

It was the Whitecaps first home game after an eight-game road trip, where they went 4-4.

Bowling Green first baseman Patrick Leonard drilled a home run off the scoreboard in left field for the first run of the game. The Hot Rods (26-13) tacked on two more in the sixth inning after Joey Rickard hit a triple to left and came around to score on a fielder's choice by Luke Maile. Leonard then drove home Maile with a single.

The Hot Rods scored the final run in the top of the ninth after Leonardo Reginatto reached second on after Whitecaps left-fielder Danry Vasquez dropped a fly ball. He advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a ground ball by Granden Goetzman.

Whitecaps first baseman Jeff Holm singled in the fourth inning to extend his streak of reaching base safely to 33 games. The streak started last year.

Whitecaps starter Charlie Gillies (0-2) pitched well but got the loss. Gillies gave up three runs on three hits in his third start with West Michigan. The Whitecaps used three relievers - Julio Felix, Guido Knudson, Angel Nesbitt - and didn't allow a run in three 1/3 innings pitched.

It was the season debut for Knudson, who was called up from extended spring training in Lakeland when Montreal Robertson was placed on the disabled list with an elbow strain. Knudson pitched one game with West Michigan last season.

The Whitecaps only real scoring threat came late in the game. Jake Stewart stepped to the plate in the bottom of the eighth inning with the bases loaded, but struck out to end the inning.

Three Whitecaps players had double figures in hits, but couldn't get anything going. Mario Martinez was 2-for-4 for the Whitecaps, followed by David Gonzalez (2-for-4) and Jared Reaves (2-for-4).

Hot Rod's relief pitcher Brandon Henderson (2-0) pitched four innings and got the win coming in for starter Sean Bierman. Bierman, who pitched for the first time in a month coming off an injury, only threw 54 pitches in 3 1/3 innings.

The Whitecaps continue the homestand Saturday Night at Fifth Third Ballpark. Game time is 7:00 p.m. and the gates open at 5:00 p.m. It's Armed Forces Night presented by Bates Footwear. The 'Caps will be wearing special camouflage jerseys and the first 1,000 kids 12 & under will receive a camouflage baseball. It's also the first Saturday night Family Fare Fireworks night of the season.

Scheduled starters for the game: West Michigan (Jordan John 1-3, 4.42) vs. Bowling Green (Eduar Quinonez (2-2, 6.28).

For tickets and information visit www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

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Midwest League Stories from May 17, 2013


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