MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Lansing defeats Whitecaps

May 10, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - All good things must come to an end.

After 12 hard-fought innings of play, the West Michigan Whitecaps lost for just the third time in their last 15 games courtesy of a 5-2 defeat at the hands of the Lansing Lugnuts at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The loss snapped a season-high six-game winning streak for West Michigan (22-14), who fell one win short of a perfect homestand with a 5-1 mark. The ball literally bounced the Lugnuts' way in the top of the 12th inning as Lansing (17-18) plated three runs to avoid the sweep.

The game was tied at 2-2 when a pair of walks put runners at first and second with one out against Whitecaps' reliever Montreal Robertson. The hurler induced a bouncer up the middle from D.J. Davis but could not resist reaching out with his bare hand. The ball caromed off his fingertips and was redirected through the left side of the infield as Carlos Ramirez scored the go-ahead run.

Robertson induced two more potential double play balls, but neither resulted in the desired outcome.

A bouncer to the right side from Derrick Loveless was muffed by second baseman Javier Betancourt, loading the bases with one out. Mitch Nay followed with a two-hopper to short and the Whitecaps' got the force out at second, but Betancourt rushed the turn throw to first and bounced it past first base. His second error of the inning came on a play in which two additional runs crossed the plate as the Lugnuts seized a 5-2 lead.

Griffin Murphy (5) worked a perfect bottom of the 12th inning for the save, securing the win for Scott Silverstein (3-1). Silverstein, Murphy and Brady Dragmire combined to work seven scoreless innings out of the Lansing bullpen, giving up just two hits and allowing only one Whitecaps' runner to reach scoring position after taking over in the sixth.

Robertson (1-2) suffered the loss. He was charged with three runs - one earned - on two hits and two walks over two innings of relief.

Earlier in the evening, each team scored single runs in the fourth and fifth innings to account for all of the scoring in regulation.

After a two-out single by L.B. Dantzler put Lansing ahead in the top of the fourth, Dominic Ficociello launched his second home run of the year on the first pitch in the bottom of the inning.

In the top of the fifth, Ramirez doubled with two outs and came around on a bouncing ball single by Dickie Joe Thon. But the 'Caps answered again in the bottom of the frame, benefitting from a dropped fly ball by Davis in center field to even the score again at 2-2.

The Whitecaps will take Sunday off for Mother's Day before opening a three-game road series against the Great Lakes Loons on Monday at 7:05 p.m. at Dow Diamond. RHP Buck Farmer (4-2, 2.02) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Jonathan Martinez (3-4, 4.03) of Great Lakes. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark will be on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m. featuring $2 beer, Pepsi products and hot dogs on an Altogas Thrifty Thursday. Season, 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 10, 2014


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