West Michigan beats Dayton 9-3
May 30, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK - In a game that was closely contested through seven innings, the Whitecaps used a five-run eighth to pull away for a 9-3 victory over Dayton. West Michigan has won five games in a row, matching a season-long win streak.
The win moves the Whitecaps into a tie for first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division, thanks to a rainout for division co-leader Lansing at Southwest Michigan.
Sendy Vasquez threw seven innings and allowed all three Dragons runs, although all three were unearned and all scored in the third inning.
West Michigan rallied from a 3-0 deficit with a run in the third on a ground ball double play and two more runs in the sixth thanks to RBI's from Mike Hernandez and Dusty Ryan.
With the score still knotted, 3-3 in the seventh, Pedro Cotto delivered an RBI sacrifice fly in foul ground down the right field line to drive home Mark Haske with the go-ahead run.
Mike Hollimon had an RBI double in the eighth moments before Rafael Mendez blasted a three-run homer to left, which made the lead 8-3. Later in the inning, Cotto scored a second run on a single by Hernandez. Haske and Mendez also each scored twice in the game for West Michigan.
Vasquez allowed two consecutive singles to Chris Denove and Josh Holden to begin the third. Both of those runners scored when with one out, Eric Eymann hit a ball that eluded Haske at third base for a two-base error to put Dayton on top, 2-0. Eymann scored with two out on a wild pitch.
All told, Vasquez gave up four hits, a walk and struck out three to earn the win, improve to 3-3 and end a three-decision losing streak.
Anthony Claggett pitched two perfect inning end the game and earned his fourth save. Whitecaps pitching retired 18 of the last 19 Dragons batters in the game.
Morning Baseball: The final two games of the series between the Whitecaps and Dragons will begin at 11 a.m. Below are the expected pitching match ups:
(Dayton vs. West Michigan)
Wednesday, 11:00 a.m.
LHP Philippe Valiquette (1-4, 6.12) vs. LHP Erik Averill (2-3, 4.38)
Thursday, 11:00 a.m.
LHP Travis Wood (4-0, 3.35) vs. RHP Burke Badenhop (5-1, 3.40)
The Whitecaps Pre Game Show begins at 10:50 a.m. prior to each game on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.
Midwest League Stories from May 30, 2006
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