MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Blast Baker, Win Fourth Straight

Published on July 14, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps plated four runs against rehabbing Major Leaguer Scott Baker in the first inning on Sunday, going on to earn their fourth consecutive victory with a 5-2 win over the Kane County Cougars at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (12-11, 45-48) won for the sixth time in their last eight games to improve their second-half record above the .500 mark while Kane County (4-18, 34-54) scuffled to their seventh straight loss and fell 20 games below .500 overall.

During their current four-game winning streak, the 'Caps have outscored their opponents by a dominant 30-6 margin. The offense has averaged 7.5 runs per game over that time while the pitching staff has posted a 0.50 ERA (36IP/2ER) and the bullpen has tossed 18 innings without allowing a run.

Despite facing Baker, who spent parts or all of seven seasons as a starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins from 2005-2011, the streaking Whitecaps continued their recent hot streak on Sunday afternoon.

The 31-year-old control-artist was making his first appearance in a return from Tommy John surgery, and the Whitecaps took advantage of his long layoff with a first-inning rally that proved to be the decisive sequence in the ballgame.

After consecutive one-out singles by Jared Reaves and Jeff Holm, Jason King clubbed a triple off the wall in right-center that put West Michigan on the board. Later in the inning, Lance Durham took a 3-0 pitch and blasted a no-doubt laser to right that cleared the picnic deck for a two-run homer.

The 4-0 lead was plenty for a West Michigan pitching staff that did not allow an earned run for a second straight game.

Endrys Briceno (5-6) worked the first five innings for the win, scattering eight hits with one strikeout and no walks. Following a two-out error that extended the fourth inning, Briceno was tagged for a two-run homer by Carlos Escobar that accounted for all of Kane County's offense.

Jake Stewart answered in the bottom of the fourth with a solo homer to left, increasing the Whitecaps' advantage to 5-2 with his team-leading ninth home run of the year.

The bullpen made it stand up with four more shutout innings. Chad Smith worked around two walks over two hitless frames, Guido Knudson struck out a pair to strand runners at the corners in the eighth, and Corey Knebel (3) earned his third save in as many tries with a scoreless ninth inning.

Baker (0-1) suffered the loss, allowing four runs on six hits over three frames. He settled in after the first inning and induced double play groundballs in both the second and third. Baker was removed after throwing 56 pitches, 34 of which were strikes.

The Whitecaps conclude their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch on Monday night as they seek a series sweep against the Kane County Cougars. LHP Jordan John (5-3, 2.87) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Felix Pena (2-3, 3.52) of the Cougars. Fans that bring a prayer or community bulletin to the box office will be offered half-price box or reserved seats on a JQ99 FM All Faith's Night. 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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Midwest League Stories from July 14, 2013


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