MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Pull Away Late For 5-2 Win

Published on August 23, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


MIDLAND, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps broke a 2-2 tie with three late runs on their way to a 5-2 victory over the Great Lakes Loons on Monday night at the Dow Diamond.

West Michigan (29-27, 55-70) increased their lead to three games with 14 to play in the race for the Eastern Division's final playoff spot, taking advantage of four Great Lakes (38-18, 81-44) errors to plate three unearned runs.

The game was tied at 2-2 in the top of the eighth inning when Jeff Rowland started the go-ahead rally with a bunt-single on the first pitch of the frame. Rowland advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Corey Jones, while the Loons responded by intentionally walking Avisail Garcia.

It appeared the intentional walk would pay off for Great Lakes when Tony Plagman followed with a one-hopper back to the mound, but pitcher Jordan Roberts air-mailed his throw to second and Rowland came around for the go-ahead run. After a wild pitch moved the runners to second and third, Michael Rockett dumped a bloop-single beyond the drawn-in infield to score Garcia for the 4-2 lead.

One inning later, Jamie Johnson reached base on a one-out error and later scored on a two-out, RBI-single by Corey Jones for a 5-2 advantage.

Luis Angel Sanz (3-6) earned the win with a strong performance, pitching into the eighth inning and allowing two runs on six hits over 7.1 frames. Kenny Faulk (10) took over with a man aboard in the eighth, striking out four batters during a five-out save to record his 12th consecutive scoreless appearance.

Roberts (4-4, 2.89) suffered the loss for Great Lakes, allowing two runs - one earned - on one hit over 2.1 innings but committing a costly error during the decisive eighth inning rally.

Early on, the Whitecaps got off to a good start with a pair of two-out singles.

In the top of the first, Rowland reached on a one-out single and moved to second on a passed ball before Garcia brought him home with a two-out base hit up the middle. Two innings later, Jimmy Gulliver led off the third inning with a single and advanced all the way to third base thanks to a stolen base and a wild pitch on the same play. Later in the frame, Corey Jones lined a two-out, two-strike changeup into center field for a run-scoring single and a 2-0 lead.

Great Lakes came back to tie the score with single runs in the third and fifth innings. Jaime Ortiz singled in the third and was bunted to second, scoring on a base hit to center field by Christian Lara. In the fifth, Rafael Ynoa reached on a leadoff base hit and stole second before Ortiz singled him home to tie the score at 2-2.

With a 2-for-4 night, Rowland extended his hitting streak to 17 games - the longest by a Whitecap player in 2010.

The Whitecaps wrap up a four-game series against the Great Lakes Loons at 7:05 p.m. on Tuesday night at the Dow Diamond. RHP Patrick Cooper (1-0, 4.88) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against LHP Greg Wilborn (3-1, 2.78) of the Loons. With just seven regular season home games remaining, the Whitecaps begin their final homestand of the season on Wednesday, August 25, with a 7:00 p.m. game against the Lansing Lugnuts at Fifth Third Ballpark. The 'Caps will wear special jerseys to help benefit the Ronald McDonald House and there will be a special appearance by the clown prince of baseball, Myron Noodleman. There will also be Rally Towels for the first 1,000 fans thanks to McDonalds and post-game fireworks presented by Farm Bureau Insurance. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 23, 2010


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