MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Seven errors lead up to heartbreaking loss

Published on May 6, 2005 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


BURLINGTON, IA - Brooks Colvin had it. Then he dropped it. A fly ball to shallow right field came with two out and the winning run at third in the bottom of the ninth. Colvin was the only Whitecaps in position to make the play, but as he back pedaled, the ball popped out of his glove and fell to the ground in an 11-10 Burlington victory.

Pinch runner Ed Lucas scored the winning run from third after Miguel Vega led off the inning with a double.

All of this followed a three run rally in the top of the ninth by the Whitecaps.

None of the last-inning heroics would have taken place if West Michigan would have played a cleaner defensive game. The Whitecaps committed a season-high seven errors.

Josh Lee delivered a game-tying, two-run ground rule double in the top of the ninth to complete a night in which he went 3-for-5 with four RBI and two doubles. Lee singled home a pair of runs during West Michigan's five-run first.

Burlington answered with three in the first, then single runs in the second and fourth to tie the game, 5-5.

The Bees took the lead for the first time in the game when Alan Moye hit a sacrifice fly in foul ground down the right field line in the sixth. Brian McFall scored to make it 8-7.

In the eighth, Burlington added two more for a 10-7 cushion.

Whitecaps catcher Dusty Ryan was knocked from the game by Moye in a collision at home plate in the fifth. Moye tried to score from third on a ground ball to short off the bat of Kennard Springer. With the infield drawn in, the throw home beat the runner by several strides and Ryan held on to the ball to keep the game tied, 5-5. Ryan left the game immediately after the play.

Breaking the Patter: For the first time this season, the Whitecaps did not split a four game series. With the Bees taking three out of four, it is the first time West Michigan has lost a series of any length this season.

Silver Hawks Sighting: West Michigan will battle South Bend for the first time this season a four game series beginning Friday at Fifth Third Ballpark. Friday is Coaches vs. Cancer Night. Cancer survivor and former Michigan State basketball standout Shawn Respert will throw out first pitches and each will sign autographs during the game.

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Midwest League Stories from May 6, 2005


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