MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Offense Stays Quiet In Fourth Straight Loss

Published on June 30, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps dropped their fourth straight game on Sunday afternoon, losing an 8-1 decision to the Bowling Green Hot Rods at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The offensive woes continued for West Michigan (5-6, 38-43), who stranded five men on base over the first two innings and have now scored just five total runs during their four-game losing streak. Bowling Green (7-4, 45-34) took advantage of the Whitecaps' early missed opportunities by surging to seven unanswered runs in the third and fourth innings, led by a five-RBI day from the red-hot Leonardo Reginatto.

The Whitecaps appeared poised to break out of their recent offensive funk when they loaded the bases with and one out in the first, but Connor Harrell struck out looking and Jason King flied out to center. In the second inning, there were runners at the corners with two away when Jared Reaves struck out swinging.

Moments later, the Hot Rods exploded for seven runs over the next two innings to seize control of the ballgame.

After a leadoff walk in the third inning, Andrew Toles slapped an opposite-field double down the left field line to put runners at second and third. Reginatto plated both runners with a groundball single up the middle and later came around to score on a double play groundout for a 3-0 advantage.

The fourth inning started out similarly when a hit batsmen and a double once against put two runners in scoring position, but starting pitcher Charlie Gillies struck out the next two batters and was on the verge of escaping the jam. Following an intentional walk to Toles, however, Reginatto lined a base hit down the left field line that cleared the bags for a three-run triple. Tommy Coyle followed with a run-scoring single to right that capped the four-run rally and staked Bowling Green to a decisive 7-0 lead.

Reginatto, who has registered three hits in each of the first two games of the series, finished the month of June with .402 batting average and 16 RBI in 20 games.

The game was mostly quiet from that point forward. West Michigan did not advance another runner into scoring position until the eighth inning, when Jeff Holm doubled and scored on a sacrifice fly by King that broke up the shutout. Bowling Green answered with a sacrifice fly of their own in the top of the ninth to reach the 8-1 final.

Eduar Quinonez (6-4) earned the win out of the Hot Rods' bullpen, allowing the Whitecaps' lone run in three innings of solid relief after starter Jeff Ames lasted just four innings.

Charlie Gillies (0-4) suffered the loss for West Michigan. The 22-year-old right-hander gave up a career-worst seven runs on seven hits over five innings.

The Whitecaps wrap up a six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a special 12:00 p.m. Kids Day game on Monday afternoon, the finale of a three-game series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. RHP Edgar De La Rosa (4-2, 6.79) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Taylor Guerrieri (5-2, 2.29) of the Hot Rods. In addition to the Kids Day, fans can also bring a worship or community bulletin to the ballpark to get half off a box or reserved seat on a JQ99 All Faith's Day. 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 June 30, 2013


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