Plenty of runs to go around in Whitecaps win
May 31, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK - For the second game in a row, the Whitecaps pulled out a thrilling victory despite a defensive threat in the ninth inning. But on Tuesday, the Whitecaps blew nearly blew a large lead before holding on to an 11-10 victory over Kane County.
It was the first meeting between the two teams since West Michigan defeated the Cougars in last season's Midwest League Championship Series.
Justin Justice led the offensive attack with four RBI. Two came on a double that made the Whitecaps lead 6-0 in the fourth inning. Justice also hit his first home run of the season and went 2-for-5 in the game. West Michigan scored three in the first, four I the third and two in the fifth on the way to a 10-lead.
Jair Jurrjens pitched the first six innings and allowed just one run on three hits with no walks and seven strikeouts.
The bullpen faltered for West Michigan. Tony Peralta gave up two runs I the seventh. Jay Sborz started the eighth, faced six batters, did not record an out and was charged with five runs on four hits and two walks. Ed Clelland finished the inning by retiring the next three batters in order.
In the ninth, Ian Ostlund was brought in for his second save opportunity in the last two days. He gave up a lead-off single to Kevin Melillo, then a one-out home run by Javier Herrera. The blast ended a streak of 15.1 consecutive scoreless innings pitched by Ostlund. He had also gone 10 consecutive appearances without allowing a run.
Ostlund wound up with the save even though Myron Leslie singled with two out in the ninth and became the tying runner on base. Jose Pineda struck out to end the game.
By the time Jeff Frazier led off the fourth inning with a single, everyone in the Whitecaps lineup had reached base. A single by Brent Dlugach later in the inning meant that everyone in the lineup had a hit. Luis Sabino went 2-for-3 for the Whitecaps and score three times with three RBI. Josh Lee also had a pair of RBI. Both came on a single in the first.
Herrera and Tommy Everidge each drove in three for Kane County. Cougars starter Ryan Ford pitched the first four innings, allowed ten hits, seven runs (four earned) and absorbed the loss.
It was the first regular season win over Kane County for West Michigan since 2003.
Please Note: Evening games will begin at 7:00 p.m. at Fifth Third Ballpark beginning June 1.
Three More: The second in the four game series is Wednesday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Midwest League Stories from May 31, 2005
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