Late Whitecap rally crashes in on Rattlers
Published on June 29, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Wisconsin Timber Rattlers News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI -- The West Michigan Whitecaps scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie on their way to a 4-1 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Thursday night at Fifth Third Ballpark. Matt Joyce and Cameron Maybin delievered back-to-back RBI doubles in the decisive rally.
Rattler second baseman Luis Valbuena started the game with a double. The next batter was Robby Hudson and he followed with a double of his own to drive in Valbuena and give Wisconsin (29-49 overall, 2-6 second half) a 1-0 lead. Despite getting seven more hits on the night, Wisconsin would not score again.
However, that one run looked like it would be enough. Rattler starting pitcher Paul Fagan mowed down the Whitecaps through the first 6-1/3 innings. West Michigan (47-28, 6-2) was held scoreless on three hits until a fluke of a double set them up to tie the game in the seventh.
Rafael Mendez sent a routine flyball to right for what appeared to be an easy second out of the inning. However, Eddy Hernandez slipped. He regained his footing, but could not find the ball and it dropped in behind him for a double. Jeramy Laster tripled with two outs to knock in the tying run.
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Whitecaps took the lead on three straight one out hits. Will Rhymes singled. Joyce followed with an RBI double to right. Then, Maybin doubled down the right field line to put the Caps up 3-1 and chase Fagan from the game.
A two out single by Rafael Mendez off reliever Justin Ockerman knocked in Maybin to make it 4-1 West Michigan.
Fagan tossed 7-1/3 innings allowing eight hits, four runs, matching a career high in strikeouts with eight and did not walk a batter, but he took the tough luck loss.
Whitecaps closer Orlando Perdomo pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning for his eighteenth save of the year.
Game two of the series is Friday night. Nick Allen (4-2, 2.45ERA) is the scheduled starting pitcher for the Timber Rattlers. Sendy Vasquez (4-6, 3.39ERA) is slated to start for the Whitecaps. Game time is 6:00pm CDT.
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