Whitecaps Feel the Pena in Bees Win

July 23, 2016 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps tried to rally late after a big deficit yet fell short in an 8-5 loss to the Burlington Bees in the first of a three game series at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday night.

The Bee's bats greeted Whitecaps starter Fernando Perez with four hits and two runs in their first inning. Perez would surrender two more runs in his second inning of work as an RBI double by the Bees' Troy Montgomery and a run scoring single by Matt Thaiss plated two more runs. Burlington tacked on another third inning run and lead 5-0. Meanwhile, Burlington right hand starter Luis Pena breezed through his five innings of work, no-hitting the Whitecaps and allowing only two walks and striking out seven 'Caps batters. Whitecaps reliever Zac Houston entered the game in the sixth inning and held Burlington in check in his debut performance, allowing one run in three innings and striking out five.

The Whitecaps offense came to life in the sixth inning off Burlington reliever Eury Sanchez. An RBI single off the bat of Will Maddox drove home David Gonzalez, who opened the inning with his fourteenth double of the year. A Burlington double play off the bat of the Caps Brett Pirtle erased a Will Allen single but consecutive walks to Rashad Brown and Arvicent Perez set the table for Leo Laffita. Laffita responded with a seeing-eye single to left, scoring two and cutting the Bee's lead to 5-3. Jordan Smith pitched the ninth for West Michigan and surrendered three singles-the last by Burlington's Jared Walsh which provided two big insurance runs and an 8-3 lead. The 'Caps Will Maddox again produced in the bottom of the ninth on a two run double but Burlington closed the door for the opening series game win. Perez (3-5) took the loss for West Michigan and Pena (3-5) earned the win. The Whitecaps dropped to 51-42 overall and 12-14 in the second half standings. Burlington moved to 48-51 and 16-13 in the second half.

UP NEXT

Right hander Kyle Dowdy (6-2 2.96) gets the start for the Sunday afternoon matinee, while the Bees counter with Jaime Barria (8-4 3.45). First pitch begins at 1pm. Tickets for Sunday's game and every game can be purchased by calling 616-784-4131 or going online at whitecapsbaseball.com

Midwest League Stories from July 23, 2016

• Diaz Dominates in Wisconsin's Walkoff Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Dragons Defeat Kernels in 10 Innings - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Dragons Take Hard-Fought Win in Extra Innings, 6-4 - Dayton Dragons
• Whitecaps Feel the Pena in Bees Win - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Cougars' Hit Parade Ends in 11th-Inning Win - Lansing Lugnuts
• Byler's Triple Lifts Cougars in Eleventh - Kane County Cougars
• LumberKings Gain Upper Hand - Great Lakes Loons
• Long Ball Powers LumberKings to Series Opening Win at Great Lakes - Clinton LumberKings
• Pean, Bees Take Opener from Whitecaps - Burlington Bees
• Long Ball Helps Bandits to Dominant Win - Quad Cities River Bandits
• Records Set as Whitecaps TIE in 15 Innings - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Chiefs Tie 9-9 in Longest Game in Team History - Peoria Chiefs

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

• Peck, Pacheco Go Deep in 5-2 Win
• Whitecaps Settle for Series Split in 5-2 Loss
• 'Caps Rally Comes up Short in 8-5 Loss
• Jenkins Shines, 'Caps Roll Captains 12-2
• 'Caps Come up Short in 5-4 Defeat