Packard Is Grand in 13-4 Victory

July 3, 2022 - Midwest League (MWL)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Outfielder Bryant Packard blasted his first professional grand slam, and pitcher Keider Montero enjoyed a solid start as the West Michigan Whitecaps rolled to a 13-4 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of 6,548 fans Sunday evening at LMCU Ballpark.

The Whitecaps pounded two home runs, accounting for seven RBIs, as all-but-one batter notched a base hit while finishing 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Keider Montero matched his single-game high in strikeouts, punching out six batters through five innings in the victory.

Fort Wayne scored first as Lucas Dunn plated Max Ferguson on an RBI single in the first inning, putting the TinCaps in front 1-0. The 'Caps responded with two runs in the bottom of the first, as Jake Holton and Austin Murr added RBI singles to forge in front 2-1. Packard followed with his grand slam in the second inning before Ferguson responded with a solo homer in the third, 6-2. The Whitecaps exploded for six runs in the third frame - highlighted by a three-run home run from Josh Crouch - taking a commanding 12-2 lead. Cruz added an insurance tally in the sixth inning, plating Carlos Mendoza on a sacrifice fly before Brandon Valenzuela lifted a sacrifice fly in the eighth, trimming the lead to 13-3. Kelvin Melean scored on a bases-loaded balk in the ninth inning, but 'Caps reliever Dario Gardea recorded the final out, securing the 'Caps 13-4 victory.

Montero (4-4) secures his fourth win as Ryan Bergert (0-6) suffers his sixth loss, allowing nine runs on 11 hits through 2.1 innings pitched. Packard enjoyed a career-high five RBIs in the win as Holton extended his hitting streak to 10 games. In addition, Malgeri has reached base in eight out of his last ten at-bats. The Whitecaps improve to 37-38 with a first-place 6-3 second-half record as the TinCaps fall to 29-46 and a 2-7 second-half record.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps hit the road for a six-game series against the Dayton Dragons at Day Air Ballpark for a Fourth of July contest on Monday night at 7:05 pm. Pitchers Brant Hurter and Joe Boyle get the starts for West Michigan and Dayton. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Midwest League Stories from July 3, 2022

• Beloit Avoids South Bend Sweep as Sky Carp Take Finale 9-3 - South Bend Cubs
• Chiefs Hold off River Bandits to Win Third Striaght - Peoria Chiefs
• Packard Is Grand in 13-4 Victory - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Sky Carp Avoid Sweep with Win - Beloit Sky Carp
• Lansing's Butler Nearly Hits for Cycle, as Captains Fall 8-4 - Lake County Captains
• Ferguson Doubles and Homers in Series Finale - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Berrios Dominates, Lugnuts Clinch Split - Lansing Lugnuts
• Chicago Cubs Left-Hander Drew Smyly Expected to Pitch for South Bend Cubs on Rehab Assignment Monday - South Bend Cubs
• Timber Rattlers Wrap a 10-2 Homestand With a 5-4 Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• De Jongh Hits First Walk-Off Grand Slam in Loons' History - Great Lakes Loons
• Kernels Can't Solve Timber Rattlers Bullpen in 5-4 Loss - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Loons Get Walk-Off Grand Slam to Beat Dragons, 11-8 - Dayton Dragons
• TinCaps Game Information: July 3 at West Michigan - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Dragons Post-Game Fireworks Show Set for Monday, July 4 - Dayton Dragons
• Jeferson Morales Reinstated off Injured List - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• South Bend Earns 10th Victory in a Row, Edge Beloit 2-1 - South Bend Cubs

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