Whitecaps Explode For Record-Setting Win
Published on June 1, 2014 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
FORT WAYNE, IN - Just weeks after suffering the worst loss in franchise history, the West Michigan Whitecaps rolled to their biggest win ever with a 19-1 blowout victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps on Sunday afternoon at Parkview Field.
West Michigan (32-25) also established a new franchise record with 10 extra-base hits, using Sunday's victory to pull within 2.5 games of first-place South Bend and three full games ahead of Dayton in the race for the two first-half playoff berths in the MWL-East. In addition to the offensive onslaught, the 'Caps benefitted from a sloppy performance by Fort Wayne (25-31) that included 11 walks and three errors.
The Whitecaps also set a slew of season-highs, none more significant than bashing four home runs in the game. Raph Rhymes and Austin Schotts each finished a triple shy of the cycle and Jeff Holm drove in five runs in the first three innings. Rhymes and Willy Adames notched four RBI apiece and every West Michigan starter picked up at least one hit and at least one run scored.
The big day began in the top of the first inning. After TinCaps' starting pitcher Payton Baskette issued consecutive two-out walks, Holm lined a two-run double over the left fielder's head to give the Whitecaps an early 2-0 lead.
The score was 2-1 when the 'Caps went back to work in the third. Schotts drew a leadoff walk, stole second and scored on a base hit by Rhymes. Following a single by Dominic Ficociello, Holm turned on a 1-0 pitch and drilled a three-run homer to right field. Later in the inning, a dropped fly ball with two outs enabled a fifth run to score as the West Michigan lead swelled to 7-1.
Fort Wayne went to the bullpen to try to stop the bleeding in the fourth, but it did not work. Schotts and Rhymes each tagged solo home runs against Tony Rizzotti to extend the advantage to 9-1.
Already a blowout, the Whitecaps turned Sunday's game into a rout of historic proportions with a nine-run outburst in the top of the sixth. Thirteen batters came to the plate during the rally, which featured four doubles, one triple, one home run and three walks. Rizzotti gave up three doubles and walked two before being removed in favor of Wilson Santos with nobody out. Three batters later, Adames slugged a three-run homer to push across the seventh run of the frame with just one out on the board. Francisco Contreras added an RBI-triple and Javier Betancourt lined a run-scoring double, making it an 18-1 ballgame before the TinCaps could finally retire the side.
With an unearned run in the top of the seventh, West Michigan cemented the 19-1 final. The 18-run margin of victory surpassed the previous franchise record of 16 runs, accomplished most recently on May 30, 2000 against the Dayton Dragons.
Lost in the offensive explosion were another solid pitching performance and an errorless day from the defense.
Jon Maciel (3-2) started and threw six strong innings, showing no signs of the lack of intensity that often accompanies lopsided games. The 21-year-old right-hander gave up a run in the first inning but allowed just one baserunner to reach scoring position thereafter. Maciel struck out eight without issuing a walk, giving up one run on five hits over his six frames.
Matt Davenport (3) took over from there, working three shutout innings to earn a save despite entering the game with an 18-run lead.
Payton Baskette (1-2) took the loss, allowing seven runs - six earned - in three innings of work. The first three pitchers to take the mound for Fort Wayne all allowed at least six runs.
The Whitecaps wrap up their three-game road series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps at 7:05 p.m. on Monday night at Parkview Field. LHP Kevin Ziomek (3-5, 2.34) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Walker Weickel (1-6, 6.84) of Fort Wayne. The next home game at Fifth Third Ballpark is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, at 7:00 p.m. with an appearance by Roary from the Detroit Lions and post-game Family Fare fireworks. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Midwest League Stories from June 1, 2014
- Chiefs Lose 2-0 Sunday Night - Peoria Chiefs
- L'Kings Flex Muscle in 18-4 Win over Snappers - Clinton LumberKings
- Whitecaps Explode For Record-Setting Win - West Michigan Whitecaps
- LumberKings Dominate Snappers, Earn 18-4 Win - Beloit Sky Carp
- Christensen lifts Kernels over Burlington - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Loons Defeat Lake County 5-2 - Great Lakes Loons
- Kernels Take Game Two - Burlington Bees
- Late rallies spur Lugs' 7-3 comeback win - Lansing Lugnuts
- TinCaps Suffer Most Lopsided Loss in Franchise History - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Hot Rods Peel Past Silver Hawks, 11-1 - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Rain Suspends Bandits and Timber Rattlers - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Loons Smack Two Homers and Win 5-2 - Lake County Captains
- Dragons Lead Early But Lose 7-3 - Dayton Dragons
- Hot Rods Offense Continues Surge to Beat Silver Hawks, 11-1 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Sunday's game suspended by rain - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Lugnuts Activate Slugger Dean from DL - Lansing Lugnuts
- John Murphy joins Kernels from Fort Myers - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dragons GameDay for Sunday, June 1 vs. Lansing - Dayton Dragons
- Error Gives Beloit Walk-Off W in 10, 6-5 - Clinton LumberKings
- Bandits Hold off Rattlers to Win 5th Straight - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Snappers Pull out Win in Dramatic 10th Inning Rally - Beloit Sky Carp
- Reina's Revenge: Former Cap Slugs Walk-Off - West Michigan Whitecaps
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