MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Kirksey Goes Yard Again In Caps' Win

Published on May 24, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


DAYTON, OH - Whitecaps outfielder Zach Kirksey hit his second homerun of the series and broke open a scoreless tie with a three run home run in the top of the sixth inning as West Michigan salvaged the final game of a three game series with a 5-2 win over the Dayton Dragons.

Kirksey, who had two homers on the season entering the series vs. the Dragons on Wednesday night, doubled his season numbers with a solo home run in the Whitecaps 7-6 loss to Dayton on Thursday night, before providing all the offense that West Michigan would need on Friday. With two on and two out in the top of the fifth inning, Kirksey took Dragons starting pitcher Sal Romano (LP, 4-4) deep over the wall in right center field for a 3-0 'Caps lead.

Jake Stewart made it 4-0 West Michigan with a two out RBI double in the sixth inning that scored Bennett Pickar, who singled off Romano before he was lifted from the game. Stewart's two base hit to the left field corner came off Dragons reliever Austin Salter. Romano finished his night with 5.2 IP, 3H, 4R, 4ER, 3BB and 4K. The right-hander who beat the Whitecaps on April 7th at Fifth Third Ballpark evened his record vs. West Michigan in 2013 at 1-1.

Whitecaps starter Jordan John (ND) only lasted 4.0 innings before running into his pitch count and was removed from the game without earning a decision. The West Michigan bullpen pitched the final five innings of the night allowing two runs on six hits. Dayton got to reliever Chad Smith (ND) for a pair of runs in the sixth inning on an RBI single by Jesse Winkler and a wild pitch that cut the lead in half at 4-2.

Both Dragons runs were charged to Smith who allowed three hits in his 1.2 innings of work. Josh Turley (ND) pitched 0.2 innings of scoreless baseball, while the back end of the pen kept Dayton off the scoreboard over the final 2.2 innings. Angel Nesbitt (WP, 1-1) allowed two hits and struck out one picking up the win and evening his record on the season. Closer Jose Valdez (SV, 9) continued his perfect season converting on his ninth straight save with a one, two, three, bottom of the ninth.

The Whitecaps continue their six-game road trip with the opening game of a three-game series against the Lake County Captains on Saturday night at 6:30 p.m. RHP Yorfrank Lopez (4-2, 4.33) is scheduled to take the mound for West Michigan against RHP Michael Peoples (1-2, 3.08) of the Captains. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark will be the extremely popular Dime Dog Night on Tuesday, May 28 at 6:35 p.m. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 24, 2013


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