MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Fall Behind Early, Never Recover

August 14, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps gave up five runs in the second inning and never recovered in a 6-2 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts on Wednesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (24-25, 57-62) was out-hit 12-to-4 in the ballgame and fell to 3-10 against Lansing (20-32, 52-69) this season.

The critical sequence came in the top of the second inning. Though Whitecaps' starter Edgar De La Rosa did not give up many hard-hit balls, the Lugnuts singled six times in the frame to take a 5-0 lead.

With the bases loaded and one out, Kellen Sweeney fought off a broken-bat single that snuck through the right side and drove home a pair of runners. Dwight Smith, Jr. followed with a bouncer that was fielded by a sprawling De La Rosa on the left side of the infield, plating another run on an infield single. Dalton Pompey chipped in with a run-scoring groundout while Christian Lopes capped the rally with a ball that glanced off the glove of a diving Harold Castro on its way to right field.

The 5-0 lead was plenty for Lansing starter Ben White, who carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before bloop-singles by Connor Harrell and Castro gave West Michigan runners at first and second with two outs.

Raph Rhymes then reached base safely on an infield single that bounced down the third base line before Kellen Sweeney made a diving stop. Sweeney attempted the long throw across the diamond from his knees, but the ball skipped past the first baseman as both Harrell and Castro came around to score.

Those were the only two runs for the Whitecaps. Both were unearned runs for White (8-6), who picked up the win with six strong innings of three-hit baseball. He struck out five and walked two.

Lansing recaptured the momentum moments later. Emilio Guerrero led off the top of the sixth with a triple off the top of the wall in left and scored one pitch later on a single by Sweeney. That gave the Lugnuts a 6-2 lead that held for the remainder of the ballgame.

De La Rosa (6-6) did not allow a run outside of the second inning, but was charged with five runs on 10 hits over five frames in the loss.

The Whitecaps continue their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:00 p.m. game on Thursday night against the Lansing Lugnuts. RHP Jake Thompson (2-3, 3.50) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against LHP Daniel Norris (1-7, 4.84) for Lansing. In addition to food and beverage specials on an Altogas Thrifty Thursday, the Whitecaps will also be wearing special jerseys for Led Zeppelin Night. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics



Midwest League Stories from August 14, 2013


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