MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

River Bandits Power Past 'Caps

Published on June 3, 2015 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Back-to-Back homeruns by Alex Hernandez and Ramon Laureano propelled the Quad Cities River Bandits to an 8-1 win over the West Michigan Whitecaps Wednesday at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The River Bandits came out of the gate swinging in the first two innings, as Jacob Nottingham laced a run-scoring double to left-center field in the first before Hernandez and Laureano ripped homeruns in consecutive at-bats against Whitecaps starter Trent Szkutnik in the second. Jason Martin ripped a ninth-inning home run off 'Caps reliever Josh Heddinger to give the River Bandits their third home run of the game. Derek Hill, who reached base three times in the ballgame, gave West Michigan their only run with a seventh-inning single.

Jorge Perez (1-0) earned his first win in his debut as a River Bandits starter after pitching five innings and struck out five Whitecaps hitters. Perez made the start after 39 appearances in relief over his Minor League career. Szkutnik (3-1) allowed five runs over six innings in suffering his first loss. The Whitecaps record falls 26-27 while the River Bandits improve to 37-16.

BACK TO BACK

The two-straight home runs by Hernandez and Laureano marks the second time the 'Caps have given up back-to-back homers this season. The last came on May 4 at Lansing, when DJ Davis and Ryan McBroom went deep. Moreover, the Whitecaps are hosting the two-best teams in the Midwest League during their six game homestand this week, as they take on the River Bandits, and then Cedar Rapids Kernels in a three-game series beginning Saturday.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps continue this three-game series against the Quad Cities River Bandits Thursday at 7:00pm. Pitcher Fernando Perez starts for the Whitecaps against Brock Dykxhoorn for Quad Cities. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com. If you can't make it to the ballpark, radio coverage begins at 6:50p.m. on the Whitecaps Baseball Network.

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Midwest League Stories from June 3, 2015


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