Whitecaps defeat Wizards 8-2

June 6, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

FT. WAYNE, IN - Rafael Mendez hit his third home run of the season to give the Whitecaps the lead in the third inning as West Michigan rolled to an 8-2 victory in Fort Wayne. It was the first in a stretch of 14 out of 17 games to be played on the road.

The Wizards jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning on an RBI single by Will Venable off Burke Badenhop. However, Badenhop settled down to pitch seven innings for the Whitecaps, earn the win and improve to 6-2 on the year.

Cory Middleton tied the game with an RBI single of his own for the Whitecaps in the second inning. Following the Mendez blast to lead off the third, West Michigan tallied three runs in the fourth off Fort Wayne starter Fabian Jimenez.

Mendez hit a sacrifice fly for the first run of the fourth inning following by run-scoring hits from Will Rhymes and Pedro Cotto.

Middleton, Matt Joyce and Dusty Ryan each had additional RBI singled later in the game.

Anthony Claggett and Lavon Lewis followed Badenhop with scoreless innings of relief for West Michigan.

Invisible Man: Nic Crosta is the Midwest League leader in batting average at .382, but the outfielder who played most of this season in Fort Wayne will likely not face the Whitecaps this year. Crosta was not assigned to the Wizards until after Fort Wayne faced the ‘Caps in the first three games of the season. Now Crosta has been promoted by San Diego to Lake Elsinore of the California League.

Below are the expected pitching match ups for the series against the Wizards:

(West Michigan vs. Fort Wayne)

Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.

LHP Luke French (4-3, 3.94) vs. RHP Joel Santo (4-3, 5.08)

Thursday, 6:00 p.m.

LHP Ramon Garcia (6-1, 1.69) vs. RHP Stevie Delabar (4-3, 2.82)

Friday, 7:00 p.m.

RHP Sendy Vasquez (3-4, 2.93) vs. RHP Josh Geer (4-2, 3.90)

The Whitecaps Pre Game Show begins at 5:50 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.

Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2006

• MWL announces all-star roster - MWL1
• Chiefs win with five run first - Peoria Chiefs
• Rowlett clubs game-winner in 12th - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Lugnuts top Dragons 3-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Close games continue to go against Dragons - Dayton Dragons
• Devil Rays Groce out Silver Hawks - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Whitecaps defeat Wizards 8-2 - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Rain stops Rattlers - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Cougars and Rattlers rained out up north - Kane County Cougars
• Devil Rays Pitch Their Way to Davenport - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
• Swing get six All-Stars for June Classic - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Hawks To Fly In Davenport - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Arroyo Slides onto Disabled List; Thibault Activated - Burlington Bees
• Three 'Caps Players Chosen for MWL All-Star Team - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Five Wizards Named to Midwest League All-Star Team - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• MWL Announces All-Stars - MWL1
• Dragons Re-tool Staff with Addition of Mallett - Dayton Dragons
• Wizards Roster Undergoes Changes - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Give a Glove, Get Two Tickets - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Bees Win Series at Cedar Rapids - Burlington Bees
• Burlington takes series finale from Kernels 6-5 - Cedar Rapids Kernels

The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories

• 'Caps Clinch Series Win in Fort Wayne, 4-1
• 'Caps Double-up Fort Wayne, 8-4
• Whitecaps Take Tough Loss, 9-8
• 'Caps Post Second Straight Shutout, 7-0
• Whitecaps Wash Away Fort Wayne, 3-0