Playoff-Bound Whitecaps Lose, 5-4
September 2, 2004 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
Comstock Park, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps concluded the home part of the regular season with a 5-4 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts Thursday night.
Virgil Vasquez came up short in his bid for a 15th victory as the Whitecaps left nine men on base. Kelly Hunt got his 98th RBI of the season to climb within eight of the Juan Tejeda's single-season record of 106 set in 2002. Vince Blue and Jason Knoedler each drove in runs as well.
With the score tied at three in the fifth, Eric Rodland hit his sixth triple to lead off the inning, but was stranded after a groundout to the pitcher, an intentional walk to Hunt, a foul out and a ground out. Lansing scored twice in the top of the next inning for a 5-3 lead and never looked back. The 'Caps and Lugnuts split the season series.
West Michigan's magic number to clinch the second half title dropped to two games after Dayton beat Battle Creek. The Whitecaps clinched a playoff berth last night after a 3-0 win against the Lugnuts.
The Whitecaps in-game atmosphere was captured by Fox Sports Net Detroit who covered everything the 'Caps do before, during and after the game including Kowalski's Shirts Off Our Backs Night in which 20 fans received game-worn jerseys. Fox will air its Whitecaps-themed Tigers weekly show on Saturday at 11:30 a.m.
The year's final regular season series begins tomorrow at Cedar Rapids with a four game set that lasts until Monday, September 6. The Whitecaps will be home again Wednesday, September 8 in a first round matchup against either South Bend or Lansing. Playoff tickets are available now at the Fifth Third Ballpark box office.
Midwest League Stories from September 2, 2004
- Lugnuts tie franchise win mark in thriller over Whitecaps - Lansing Lugnuts
- Silver Hawks Walk On By - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Cougars lose to the Hawks, 3 - 2 - Kane County Cougars
- Buzz Kill - Beloit Sky Carp
- Dragons Send Fans Home Happy, Beat Yankees 9-3 - Dayton Dragons
- Playoff-Bound Whitecaps Lose, 5-4 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Rattlers finish road trip with 20-7 loss - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Yankees lose lead, finale in Dayton - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Kane County Closes Out Regular Season with a Bang - Kane County Cougars
- Bees Add Johnson to Roster - Burlington Bees
- Another Day, Another Move - Dayton Dragons
- 1st-round home schedule set - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Christmas comes early - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Upcoming Kernels events - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons Named 2004 Prism Award Winner - Dayton Dragons
- LumberKings hold on for win - Clinton LumberKings
- Beloit Snaps Bees Winning Streak - Burlington Bees
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