West Michigan Strands 12 In Loss To Schepel, Silver Hawks
Published on July 27, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps left a dozen men on base on Saturday night, stranding the potential game-tying run at third when the final out was recorded in a 4-3 loss to the South Bend Silver Hawks at Coveleski Stadium.
West Michigan (16-17, 49-54) drew a season-high 11 walks but managed just four hits, going 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position to strand 12 baserunners. The victory went to South Bend (21-14, 65-39) right-hander Kyle Schepel, a Grand Rapids native who came through Grand Rapids Christian High School and Grand Valley State University on his path to professional baseball.
Schepel (4-1) survived a shaky outing in which he walked six men over five frames, but the 22-year-old Michigander also struck out six and allowed just one run on two hits. He limited the damage by stranding eight runners over his first four innings, leaving the bases loaded in both the first and fourth frames.
Schepel allowed a run-scoring double to Danry Vasquez in the top of second as the 'Caps took an early lead, but South Bend responded in the bottom of the inning with a sacrifice fly by Pedro Ruiz followed by a two-out RBI-single from Fidel Pena that put the home team in front, 2-1.
Those were the only runs allowed by West Michigan starter Jordan John (6-4), whose personal five-game winning streak was snapped in the loss. The left-hander was charged with two runs on six hits over five solid innings, recording one strikeout and one walk. It was the first loss for John since May 13 which, coincidentally, was the last time he pitched at Coveleski Stadium.
John's piggyback partner, Jeff Thompson, took over in the sixth but initially struggled with his command. The Silver Hawks rallied for two runs on four hits in the inning, getting run-scoring knocks from Rudy Flores and Carter Bell to make it a 4-1 game.
Thompson responded by retiring the next eight batters he faced to end the game, including three strikeouts during his final frame.
The Whitecaps got a run-scoring single by Jason King that cut the deficit to 4-2 in the seventh, but left runners at second and third to end the inning.
In the ninth, Jared Reaves led off with his fourth walk of the night and Jeff Holm singled him to third. When Holm stole second on a pitch that struck out Jason King, the 'Caps had the game-tying run in scoring position with just one out.
But Silver Hawks' closer Enrique Burgos buckled down. He induced a bounce-out from Dean Green that plated Reaves and advanced Holm to third, but also accounted for the second out. With a 4-3 score and Holm looming just 90 feet away, he then struck out Connor Harrell swinging to earn his 13th save.
The Whitecaps continue a three-game road series against the South Bend Silver Hawks at 2:05 p.m. on Sunday afternoon at Coveleski Stadium. RHP Montreal Robertson (2-5, 6.07) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Jesse Darrah (9-6, 4.05) of South Bend. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark is scheduled for Tuesday, July 30, at 7:00 p.m. featuring the popular Dime Dogs promotion in which hot dogs are available for just 10 cents apiece. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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