MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps cruise to 4-2 victory

Published on July 19, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Aaron Westlake went 3-for-4 and the West Michigan Whitecaps' bullpen cruised through four hitless innings in a 4-2 victory over the Peoria Chiefs on Thursday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (14-12, 50-46) clinched a victory in their season-series against Peoria (10-16, 45-50) for a fourth consecutive year, and will look pull of a three-game sweep in the series finale on Friday.

After falling behind 2-0 early, the Whitecaps rallied for three runs in the bottom of the second inning and never looked back.

Westlake started the rally with a leadoff double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jason King. The inning also included a key error and two walks, bringing Chad Wright to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs.

Following a pitching change, Wright took a 2-2 pitch from knuckleballer Joe Zeller and smacked a two-run single into center field to give the 'Caps a 3-2 edge.

Westlake added a run-scoring single in the fifth inning for a 4-2 lead.

Starter Wilsen Palacios (11-6) earned the win, joining Beloit's Jason Wheeler - who also earned a victory on Thursday - as the Midwest League's only 11-game winners. Palacios worked his way through five innings while allowing two runs on six hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

The bullpen did the rest.

Warwick Saupold came in with a runner at first and nobody out in the sixth inning and went on to throw three hitless frames. The 22-year-old from Australia racked up five strikeouts and allowed just two baserunners to lower his ERA to 2.79.

Melvin Mercedes (2) finished the job with a perfect ninth inning.

Yao-Lin Wang (3-3) took the loss for Peoria. Previously the Chiefs' closer, Wang threw just 1.2 innings in his first start of the year and was charged with three runs - one earned - on one hit and two walks.

The Whitecaps continue a six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the finale of a three-game series against the Peoria Chiefs on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. LHP Kyle Ryan (5-5, 4.01) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Michael Jensen (8-3, 3.53) of Peoria. In addition to a Tiger Friday with Jon Warden and a Living Baseball Card giveaway, fans will be invited to the field after the game to take a swing and win a prize with the Field of Dreams promotions. 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 19, 2012


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