Whitecaps jump on Bowling Green early for 8-1 win
May 18, 2013 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - Mario Martinez is a pitcher's best friend.
The West Michigan Whitecaps slick-fielding third baseman seemingly was everywhere on Saturday night in a 8-1 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods in front of a season-high 8,714 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Jordan John, the Whitecaps starting pitcher, may want to buy Martinez dinner. Martinez made two outs and assisted on five other plays to help John improve to 2-4 on the season. In six innings, John gave up five hits, and struck out four and didn't walk a batter.
The Whitecaps (18-21) win the second game of a five-game homestand with Bowling Green. The two teams play a doubleheader Sunday, beginning at 1 p.m.
West Michigan, who was shut out 3-0 on Friday night, busted out with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, which included run-scoring singles by Danry Vasquez and David Gonzalez. Bennett Pickar drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.
Jeff Holm crushed a home run to centerfield in front of the Pepsi Stadium Club for his team-leading fifth home run of the season. It also extended Holm's streak of reaching base safely to 34 games. Holm, who was drafted out of Michigan State, is tied with teammate Devon Travis with a .333 batting average.
The Whitecaps tacked on three more runs in the seventh inning capped by a run-scoring double by Gonzalez, who finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs.
Martinez did it at the plate, too. The 6-foot-3, 216-pounder was 2-for-3 with a walk to improve his average to .233.
Hot Rods starting pitcher Eduar Quinonez (2-3) took the loss after giving up three earned runs in five innnings. Bowling Green (26-14) scored its lone run in the sixth inning on a single by Marty Gantt to score Luke Maile.
The Whitecaps and Hot Rods resume their series Sunday afternoon at 1:00. The first game will be the resumption of a suspended game in Bowling Green on Friday, May 10th. The Whitecaps will be considered the road them for that first game and then will revert back to the home team for the seven-inning second game.
Tickets for Sunday and Monday's matinee series finale can be purchased by call the Whitecaps front office at 616.784.4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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