MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Kirksey, 'Caps Survive 13-Inning Marathon

Published on June 25, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


FORT WAYNE, IN - Nearly five hours after the first pitch was thrown, the West Michigan Whitecaps outlasted the Fort Wayne TinCaps for a 9-6 win after a 13-inning, rain-soaked marathon on Monday night at Parkview Field.

In the process, West Michigan (3-2, 36-39) clinched their first series victory since May 28-30. With a quick turnaround looming in the form of a 12:05 p.m. first pitch against Fort Wayne (1-4, 44-30) on Tuesday, the 'Caps will look for their first series sweep since May 25-27.

Monday's marathon marked the longest game of the year for the Whitecaps in terms of both time and innings. The four-hour and 13-minute contest also included a 38-minute rain delay prior to the ninth inning. With severe thunderstorm warnings in the Fort Wayne area, a vicious wind and rain storm swept through the ballpark in the bottom of the eighth. After play resumed following the rain delay, most of the final five innings unfolded beneath a steady rainfall.

The biggest hit of game came from Zach Kirksey, who did not even play until extra innings inning and had just one plate appearance.

The game was tied at 6-6 in the top of the 13th when TinCaps' closer Roman Madrid came out for his third inning of work and issued a four-pitch walk to Jeff Holm. Kirksey, who entered the game as a pinch runner in the 10th inning, fouled off two consecutive bunt attempts before drilling an 0-2 pitch off the wall in right-center to plate Holm for the go-ahead run. Connor Harrell added a run-scoring double to left and David Gonzalez later singled home a third run as the 'Caps seized a commanding 9-6 lead.

New Whitecaps' closer Corey Knebel (1), the 39th overall pick of the 2013 draft, locked down his first professional save in his second pro outing with a scoreless bottom of the 13th inning. That secured a win for Logan Ehlers (1-5), who gutted through three scoreless innings after entering play in the 10th. Madrid (5-2) took the loss after allowing three runs over two-plus frames.

Seven West Michigan pitchers combined to establish new season-highs with 17 strikeouts and 16 runners stranded on base.

Prior to the rain and extra innings that became the story late in the evening, the early portion of the ballgame was dominated by home runs and streaks of scoring as the teams battled to a 6-6 deadlock by the seventh inning.

Solo homers by Holm and Jason King gave the 'Caps an early 2-1 lead, but Diego Goris notched a two-run single in the third to put Fort Wayne in front. West Michigan plated three runs in the fifth inning before King clubbed his second homer of the game in the sixth to give the visitors a 6-3 advantage.

The TinCaps responded when Goris led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo homer and Corey Adamson followed with a double. Two batters later, Brian Adams singled him home to shave the deficit to 6-5.

In the seventh inning, Chris Burke lined a solo homer to left that tied the score at 6-6.

The Whitecaps conclude their six-game road trip with the finale of a three-game series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Tuesday afternoon at 12:05 p.m. RHP Charlie Gillies (0-3, 3.14) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Adys Portillo (0-1, 4.26) of the TinCaps. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark will be on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. against the Dayton Dragons and will feature a celebration of the 1998 championship squad as well as post-game fireworks. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from June 25, 2013


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.

OurSports Central