Walk-off balk wins for the Whitecaps
July 29, 2005 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Jeff Frazier was intentionally walked to the load the bases for West Michigan with nobody out in the bottom of the tenth inning. But ball four was the last pitch of the game as Devil Rays closer Jose De La Cruz balked to bring home the winning run in a 3-2, ten-inning decision. Clete Thomas trotted home from third to make official the Whitecaps fourth consecutive win. Wilkin Ramirez turned in a dazzling defensive play in the top of the ninth to keep the game tied, 2-2. With runners at second and third, Ramirez took a John Jaso ground ball off the chest, then scurried 15 feet to retrieve the ball, threw home and Dusty Ryan tagged Reid Brignac before he could score the go-ahead run. The next batter, Craig Markel picked up an infield single as second baseman Steve Young took the ball deep behind second base. Young threw to second, Jaso slid in ahead of the throw, but rolled toward third and was tagged out by Brent Dlugach to end the inning. Patrick Cottrell's RBI single gave Southwest Michigan a 1-0 lead in the fourth. West Michigan took the lead, 2-1 in the sixth on a ground ball out by Frazier, who finished 0-for-4 and ended a seven game hitting streak. The Devil Rays tied the game, 2-2 with a Fernando Frias double off starting pitcher Andrew Kown. Kevin Ardoin came on next and threw three innings of scoreless relief. Ed Clelland picked up the last two outs in the tenth to earn the victory. West Michigan now has a three game lead on the third-place Devil Rays in the east division second-half race.
This Date in History: The Whitecaps will begin July 30 at 54-51 overall. It is the first time West Michigan has been three games over .500 overall since July, 2003. COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Jeff Frazier was intentionally walked to the load the bases for West Michigan with nobody out in the bottom of the tenth inning. But ball four was the last pitch of the game as Devil Rays closer Jose De La Cruz balked to bring home the winning run in a 3-2, ten-inning decision. Clete Thomas trotted home from third to make official the Whitecaps fourth consecutive win. Wilkin Ramirez turned in a dazzling defensive play in the top of the ninth to keep the game tied, 2-2. With runners at second and third, Ramirez took a John Jaso ground ball off the chest, then scurried 15 feet to retrieve the ball, threw home and Dusty Ryan tagged Reid Brignac before he could score the go-ahead run. The next batter, Craig Markel picked up an infield single as second baseman Steve Young took the ball deep behind second base. Young threw to second, Jaso slid in ahead of the throw, but rolled toward third and was tagged out by Brent Dlugach to end the inning. Patrick Cottrell's RBI single gave Southwest Michigan a 1-0 lead in the fourth. West Michigan took the lead, 2-1 in the sixth on a ground ball out by Frazier, who finished 0-for-4 and ended a seven game hitting streak. The Devil Rays tied the game, 2-2 with a Fernando Frias double off starting pitcher Andrew Kown. Kevin Ardoin came on next and threw three innings of scoreless relief. Ed Clelland picked up the last two outs in the tenth to earn the victory. West Michigan now has a three game lead on the third-place Devil Rays in the east division second-half race.
This Date in History: The Whitecaps will begin July 30 at 54-51 overall. It is the first time West Michigan has been three games over .500 overall since July, 2003.
Midwest League Stories from July 29, 2005
- Cougars Swing Past Quad Cities in 13 Innings - Kane County Cougars
- Hawks Whitewashed By Snappers - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Chiefs Fall to FTW 9-4 - Peoria Chiefs
- Swing drop 13-inning loss - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Error proves costly in Kernels 2-1 loss - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Rosales Joins Dragons - Dayton Dragons
- Snappers lose to Clinton - Beloit Sky Carp
- Rattlers roll Bees in Burlington - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Dragons Snap Four Game Skid with 2-1 Win in Pitcher's Duel - Dayton Dragons
- Walk-off balk wins for the Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Kerry Wood to Rehab for Chiefs - Peoria Chiefs
- Four Moves Bring Fyvie Back to Geneva - Kane County Cougars
- T.J. Stanton returns to Cedar Rapids; Arnold to Mesa - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- L-Kings Can't Sweep Lugnuts - Clinton LumberKings
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories
- 'Caps Double-up Fort Wayne, 8-4
- Whitecaps Take Tough Loss, 9-8
- 'Caps Post Second Straight Shutout, 7-0
- Whitecaps Wash Away Fort Wayne, 3-0
- 'Caps Protect the House on Mother's Day, 6-2
