Putkonen Shuts Out Silver Hawks

July 3, 2009 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

SOUTH BEND, IN- Luke Putkonen threw the first complete game of the season for the West Michigan Whitecaps in a 10-0 shutout of the South Bend Silver Hawks at Coveleski Stadium on Friday night. Putkonen was masterful throughout the game, and his teammates responded with 10 runs as every Whitecaps starter had at least one hit.

Luke Putkonen had not faired well against South Bend in his previous two starts this season. Carrying an 0-1 record versus the ‘Hawks with him, Putkonen (5-4) dominated from the opening inning. He only allowed 5 hits while walking justg 1 batter and striking out five for his fifth win of the year.

The Whitecaps put together three runs in the third as a throwing error produced a run, Bryan Pounds delivered a sacrifice fly, and Billy Nowlin came through with an RBI hit.

In the fourth, the newest ‘Cap, Alden Carrithers, slapped a single to right to score Ben Guez, who had doubled, and the ‘Caps' lead was 4-0.

West Michigan saved their biggest inning for the ninth as they sent 9 men to the plate and scored 6 runs. During that span the ‘Caps strung together four straight RBI hits.

South Bend starter Ryan Cook continues his frustrating slide. Cook takes the loss and has now lost for the seventh consecutive time.

The Whitecaps were led offensively by Billy Nowlin's 3-5 performance and Ben Guez's 2-5 effort. Bryan Pounds had 3 RBI and Billy Nowlin and Alden Carrithers each had 2 RBI.

West Michigan returns to Fifth Third Ballpark to begin a four-game series with the Dayton Dragons on Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. The game will celebrate the fourth of July with a special fireworks display after the game, presented by Farm Bureau Insurance.

Midwest League Stories from July 3, 2009

• Santana Drops 6th Home Run in Snapper Loss - Beloit Sky Carp
• Rattlers Comeback Falls Short - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Gordon Powers Loons to Extra Innings Win - Great Lakes Loons
• Loons Outlast Error-Prone Lugnuts in 12, 5-3 - Great Lakes Loons
• Chiefs Win 7-1 Friday with Ramirez and Johnson - Peoria Chiefs
• Putkonen Shuts Out Silver Hawks - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Cougars Set Ballpark Record but Lose - Kane County Cougars
• Putkonen Shuts Out Silver Hawks - South Bend Silver Hawks
• TinCaps Edge Dayton Again, 5-3 - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• QC Puts on Show for Another Packed House - Quad Cities River Bandits
• TinCaps Top Dragons 5-3 to Win Series - Dayton Dragons
• Cougars Set Attendance Record - Kane County Cougars
• Bees Drop Series Finale and End up Splitting Series - Burlington Bees
• Dragons Get All-American Outfielder; Sappelt to Sarasota - Dayton Dragons
• Carrithers Promoted From Oneonta - West Michigan Whitecaps
• RHP Kyle Hurst joins Kernels, Mike Kohn to Rancho - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Dragons GameDay - Dayton Dragons
• TinCaps Have Minors' Best Record - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Lorenzo Cain joins Rattlers tonight - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Bees July Big Give Promotion - Burlington Bees
• Bill Simonson and Jim Shorts to Call Whitecaps Game - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Tonight's Loons Game Sold Out - Great Lakes Loons
• Tickets Still Available for Upcoming Homestand - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Smith dominates in 5-1 win over Snappers - Cedar Rapids Kernels

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Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories

• Whitecaps Take Five of Six from TinCaps
• 'Caps Clinch Series Win in Fort Wayne, 4-1
• 'Caps Double-up Fort Wayne, 8-4
• Whitecaps Take Tough Loss, 9-8
• 'Caps Post Second Straight Shutout, 7-0