MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Break Out Sitcks To Down Dragons

Published on May 8, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps pounded out a season-high 16 hits in their most lopsided victory of the year on Sunday, defeating the Dayton Dragons, 8-0, in front of a Mother's Day crowd of 5,254 at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (12-17) won their fourth game in a row while Dayton (15-16) lost for the seventh time in their last eight games. Ryan Hamme led the charge with a 4-for-4 performance in his Whitecaps debut, while Hernan Perez went 3-for-5 with three doubles and James Robbins provided the exclamation point with a late three-run homer that put the game out of reach.

The Whitecaps jumped in front early in the bottom of the first, thanks in part to some suspect Dragons defense. Leadoff man Dixon Machado got it started by sneaking a double under the third baseman's glove, scoring two batters later when Perez ripped a two-base hit down the third base line. Perez was tagging from second base when Billy Nowlin flied out to right field, but Jefry Sierra air mailed his throw to third and sailed it straight into the stands, resulting in Perez being granted home plate.

With two outs and the bases empty, the inning continued with a single by Robbins. Nick Castellanos followed with a lazy fly ball to left-center that looked like it would get Dayton out of the inning, but Yorman Rodriguez dropped the ball as Robbins scored all the way from first. Hamme then lined a single to right that was booted by Sierra as he tried to come up throwing to the plate, scoring Castellanos for a 4-0 lead.

That was more than enough for Kyle Ryan (2-3), who led a trio of pitchers in an eight-hit shutout to earn the victory. The 19-year-old lefty scattered six hits over 6.2 innings, striking out four without issuing a walk and inducing a pair of groundball double plays. Relievers Dan Gentzler and Nathan Newman combined to throw the final 2.1 innings to complete the shutout.

West Michigan went back to work with three singles in the sixth, as Luis Sanz knocked home Castellanos to make it 5-0. One inning later, Robbins blasted a three-run homer to the opposite field, clearing the fence in left to blow the game open and secure an 8-0 advantage.

Daniel Renken (1-4, 3.78) suffered the loss for Dayton, allowing five runs - three earned - on 11 hits over six innings of work.

The Whitecaps continue their homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark in search of a three-game series sweep against the Dayton Dragons at 6:35 p.m. on Monday evening. RHP Brennan Smith (0-1, 3.00) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan opposite RHP Josh Smith (2-2, 1.59) of the Dragons. It will be Gentex Night at the ballpark in addition to an All Faith's Night presented by JQ 99 FM, offering half-price box and reserved seats to fans that bring a church or community bulletin to the box office. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from May 8, 2011


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