Walks provide woes for Whitecaps

Published on May 14, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

FORT WAYNE, IN - Whitecaps pitchers walked 11 batters as Fort Wayne collected just three hits but defeated West Michigan, 7-5. The ‘Caps held a 4-0 lead in the fifth inning. Brandon Hamilton made his West Michigan debut by throwing four hitless innings as the starter with six strikeouts and four walks.

Reliever Mauricio Robles also made his Whitecaps debut, but was charged with four runs allowed, even though he did not allow a hit. Robles walked three batters in the bottom of the fifth. They scored on a passed ball, wild pitch and a sacrifice fly, respectively.

Then with the Whitecaps still leading, 4-3, Robles hit Justin Baum with a pitch.

At that point, Robles was removed from the game in favor of Santo Mieses who balked before he threw a pitch, which put Baum in scoring position. Shane Buschini then delivered a bloop RBI double down the right field line to tie the game. In the sixth inning the two teams traded solo home runs as Cory Middleton went deep for the second game in a row for the Whitecaps and Felix Carrasco homered to right for the Wizards.

The 5-5 tie was broken in the bottom of the seventh when Mieses allowed two runners to reach base (on a hit and a walk). Rudy Darrow issued back-to-back walks to drive in the lead run then threw a wild pitch to add an insurance run. Angel Mercado picked up the RBI on the bases loaded walk. Darrow has inherited eight runners this season and they have all scored.

Audy Ciriaco led the Whitecaps offense by going 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Kyle Peter went 2-for-5 with a triple and a run scored in the first inning. Justin Henry walked three times and went 1-for-2. West Michigan left two runners on base in each the seventh and ninth innings. Wynn Pelzer allowed one run over three innings of relief to pick up the win.

Midwest League Stories from May 14, 2008

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• Lugnuts whitewash Dayton in 8-0 route - Lansing Lugnuts
• Chiefs Swept by River Bandits in Twin Bill - Peoria Chiefs
• Bandits take two, sweep Chiefs - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Italiano, Cougars Stymie Kernels - Kane County Cougars
• Dragons Shutout in Lansing - Dayton Dragons
• Walks provide woes for Whitecaps - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Fuller Returns to Loons - Great Lakes Loons
• Two In The Eighth Is Enough - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Snappers, Beloit Rotary and Salvation Army Team Up to Help Those in Need - Beloit Sky Carp
• Bees Lose By Two For Second Day In A Row - Burlington Bees
• Armstrong arrives from Salt Lake; Tobin placed on DL - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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• Paul Janish Becomes 24th Dayton Dragon to Reach Major Leagues - Dayton Dragons
• Summer Movie Series Starts Saturday - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Kernels 2, Kane County 0 - Cedar Rapids Kernels

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