MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Late Collapse Leads to Sixth Straight Loss

Published on July 8, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


SOUTH BEND, IN - The West Michigan Whitecaps controlled the action for seven and a half innings on Thursday night, but an eighth-inning collapse led to a sixth straight defeat and a 7-5 loss to the South Bend Silver Hawks at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium.

West Michigan (3-11, 29-54) scored twice in the top of the first and led by scores of 4-0 after four innings and 5-1 in the middle of the eighth. The lead disappeared in the bottom of the eighth, however, as South Bend (6-8, 36-46) crossed the plate six times to turn a four-run deficit into a two-run lead.

With Richard Zumaya on the mound for the Whitecaps, the decisive rally began harmlessly enough with an infield single by Ender Inciarte before Keon Broxton reached on a slow roller that snuck through the right side. David Nick then drove a deep fly ball to the track in left that appeared to be caught on the run by Jamie Johnson, but the ball popped out of his glove and left the bases loaded with nobody out. Bobby Borchering followed with a two-run single that cut the Whitecaps' lead to 5-3, while a hit batsman reloaded the bases and chased Zumaya from the game.

Entering with the bags packed and nobody out, Matt Little induced a swinging bunt to the left side from Ramon Castillo. The pitcher raced over to barehand the loose ball, but wildly flipped it past the catcher as two more runs came home to tie the score. After an intentional walk loaded the bases again, Matt Helm - the eighth batter of the inning - flew out to center for the first out of the frame. But David Narodowski followed with a two-run single that snuck inside the bag at third at gave the Silver Hawks a 7-5 lead - their first of the night.

West Michigan got a pair of singles in the ninth, putting the potential game-tying run aboard with one out and moving him into scoring position with two away, but a Clay Jones groundout ended the night.

Braden Hagens (2-4) earned the win for South Bend with three innings of one-run ball out of the bullpen, while Yonata Ortega (17) worked a scoreless ninth for the save.

Zumaya (1-1) suffered the loss for the Whitecaps, charged with five runs - four earned - on four hits in 1.2 innings.

Prior to the stunning turn of events in the bottom of the eighth, West Michigan held a comfortable lead for nearly the entire night. In addition to a strong start from Nathan Newman, who allowed just one run on two hits over 5.1 innings, the Whitecaps jumped onto the scoreboard early with a rally in the top of the first inning.

Jeff Rowland reached on a one-out single and moved to third after a double by Wade Gaynor. Both runners were forced to hold when Avisail Garcia bounced out with the infield in, but Michael Rockett came through with a two-out, two-run knock to give West Michigan a 2-0 lead.

Catcher Rob Brantly sparked the ‘Caps to two more runs in the second and fourth innings. A third-round pick out of UC-Riverside in the June draft, the 20-year-old drew a leadoff walk in the second and scored on a two-out double by Rowland. In the fourth, Brantly sparked things with a leadoff double before scoring on a groundout by Johnson for a 4-0 advantage.

South Bend scratched across their first run in the sixth inning, but West Michigan scored an insurance run in the top of the eighth. Rockett led off the frame with a single as part of a 3-for-5 night, eventually scoring on a sacrifice fly by Hernan Perez for a 5-1 advantage. As it turned out, the lead would not last long.

The Whitecaps wrap up a road series in South Bend with the final game of a three-game set at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, July 9. RHP Victor Larez (4-7, 5.14) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Eric Smith (5-4, 3.15) of the Silver Hawks. The ‘Caps return to Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday, July 10, for a three-game series against the Lake County Captains that kicks off with a bucket hat giveaway presented by Sharkwater for the first 1,000 fans ages 21 and over, and post-game fireworks courtesy of Farm Bureau Insurance.

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Midwest League Stories from July 8, 2010


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