Marathon goes to the Whitecaps
Published on September 1, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK - For the second time this season the Whitecaps played at least 13 scoreless innings. But unlike a 2-0, 16 inning loss to Beloit on May 10, the âCaps prevailed at Dayton on Friday, 1-0 in 14 innings.
Justin Justice led off the top of the 14th with a triple. Pedro Cotto drove in Justice with a sacrifice fly to center field.
Five Whitecaps pitchers combined for the shutout, which trimmed West Michigan's Midwest League-lead team ERA back to an even 3.00.
Scheduled starter Luke French was a late scratch due to a flu-like illness that has affected most of the team.
Josh Kauten made the spot start and threw five scoreless innings with just one hit allowed. In fact, Kauten retired the last 14 batters that he faced.
Paul Hammond and Ricky Steik each chipped in three innings on the mound for the Whitecaps. Jose Fragoso pitched the 12th and Matt Rusch (9-3) threw the 13th and 14th to earn his ninth win in relief.
Cotto went 1-for-4 with a single in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to 10 games. Later in the ninth, Cotto was thrown out at home plate as he tried to score from second when Matt Joyce singled to right.
Joyce went 2-for-6 for West Michigan and Rafael Mendez was 2-for-5.
The illness also prompted second baseman Will Rhymes to be removed from the lineup shortly before the game.
It was the third game of 14 innings or longer this season for the Whitecaps, who also won a 16-inning contest on June 24 at Burlington.
Dayton has played two 14 inning games in the last two weeks. The Dragons lost in 14 at Wisconsin on August 18. The longest Dayton game of the season was 15 innings at Kane County on July 6.
Rafael Gonzalez (6 IP), Derrik Lutz (2 IP) and Damian Ursin (3 IP) held the Whitecaps scoreless until Sean Watson took over and pitched the final three innings, but suffered the loss.
Midwest League Stories from September 1, 2006
- Swing Hang First Loss on Hochevar - Burlington Bees
- Swing clinch West, hang first loss on Hochevar - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Cougars Fall in Rare Loss to Kernels - Kane County Cougars
- Dragons Fall in 14 to Whitecaps, 1-0 - Dayton Dragons
- Marathon goes to the Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Another close loss for the Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Lugnuts Blank Rays, 6-0 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Snappers Blanked by Chiefs - Beloit Sky Carp
- The Perfect Ending - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Bees Drop Dramatic Finale to Kernels - Burlington Bees
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