MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Offense Backs Ziomek In Sixth Straight Win

May 9, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps kept on rolling on Friday night, earning their sixth straight win and clinching a fifth consecutive series victory with a 7-3 triumph over the Lansing Lugnuts at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Winners in 12 of their last 14 games, West Michigan (22-13) has a chance to finish the six-game homestand with a perfect 6-0 record if they win Saturday's series finale against Lansing (16-18). It would be the first undefeated multi-series homestand in the Whitecaps' 21-year franchise history.

Starting pitcher Kevin Ziomek (2-3) had been victimized by a lack of run support all season, watching the 'Caps score a grand total of just five runs in his five previous starts combined. On Friday, the lefty had no such problem.

The Whitecaps got the scoring started on a two-out, two-run single by Bennett Pickar in the second inning. In the third, a double steal attempt with runners at the corners and two outs worked to perfection, as Javier Betancourt raced home from third base while Dominic Ficociello drew a rundown between first and second.

With a 3-0 lead, Ziomek cruised through six strong innings. He allowed just three hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Both of the runs he allowed were unearned in the top of the sixth inning, keyed by a throwing error from center fielder Wynton Bernard while trying to double up a runner at first.

At that point the West Michigan lead was trimmed to 3-2, but the 'Caps immediately answered with three runs in the bottom of the sixth.

Betancourt led off the inning with a walk and advanced to third on the first of two doubles by Raph Rhymes. Ficociello followed with an RBI-groundout while Ben Verlander and Willy Adames each clubbed run-scoring triples that pushed the lead to 6-2.

Each team traded late runs to reach the 7-3 final.

Rhymes, Ficociello and Verlander collected two hits apiece to lead the Whitecaps, who smacked four of their nine hits for extra bases. Despite ranking among the least powerful teams in the Midwest League, the West Michigan offense has surged for 14 runs on 26 hits through the first two games of the Lansing series.

The pitching staff, meanwhile, continues to stifle opposing lineups. Joe Mantiply and Zac Reininger worked the final three frames out of the bullpen after Ziomek finished his outing. The only earned run allowed by the trio came in the top of the ninth after a fly ball was lost in the dusk sky, resulting in a leadoff double and, eventually, a sacrifice fly.

The Whitecaps' top-rated pitching staff continues to lead the Midwest League with a 2.42 ERA and 326 strikeouts.

The Whitecaps will try to complete a perfect six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:05 p.m. start on Saturday night against the Lansing Lugnuts. RHP Chad Green (0-1, 4.00) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Tom Robson (2-3, 5.40) of Lansing. Prior to the game, the first 1,000 fans 21 and older will receive a glass beer mug presented by Little River Casino, and fans of all ages will be treated to a Family Fare fireworks show after the game. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from May 9, 2014


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