MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Pull Out Remarkable Comeback Win

Published on August 24, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - In danger of suffering what would have been a crippling blow to their post-season hopes on Friday night, the West Michigan Whitecaps found a way to steal a victory and stay right in the thick of the Midwest League playoff race.

In front of a boisterous crowd of 8,907 at Fifth Third Ballpark, the Whitecaps overcame a four-run deficit with five two-out runs in the bottom of the seventh inning - including a game-tying steal of home - to beat the Fort Wayne TinCaps, 5-4.

Despite being out-hit 12-to-3, West Michigan (31-29, 67-63) won the rubber match of a crucial series to pull within two games of Fort Wayne (33-27, 64-66) in pursuit of the Eastern Division's second-half wild card berth. The Whitecaps have gotten hot at the right time, winning six of their last eight games heading into the final 10 contests of the regular season.

The first six innings were dominated by the TinCaps, but West Michigan was able to weather the storm.

The Whitecaps entered the seventh with just one hit and having failed to advance a runner into scoring position since the first inning. Meanwhile, Fort Wayne had pounded out 11 hits and built a 4-0 lead. While TinCaps' starting pitcher Matt Wisler dealt six dominant innings of shutout baseball, Whitecaps' starter Chad Wright was removed from the game after just two-thirds of an inning due to an elevated pitch count.

But everything changed in the bottom of the seventh when the TinCaps called on reliever Dennis O'Grady to take over for Wisler.

O'Grady walked four of the six batters that he faced, recording two outs before issuing a free pass to Chad Wright with the bases loaded.

He was promptly removed for James Jones, but Eugenio Suarez continued the rally by lining a two-run single to left-center, bringing West Michigan to within 4-3 on just their second hit of the game.

With men at the corners and Lance Durham at the plate, Jones threw a pitch in the dirt that prompted Suarez to break for second. The throw from catcher Austin Hedges short-hopped the second baseman, which allowed Suarez to slide around the tag and reach safely.

Meanwhile, Wright raced towards the plate and - when Suarez was ruled safe - easily stole home with the game-tying run.

Two batters later, Jeff McVaney bounced a single through the left side that scored Suarez for the go-ahead run, capping the rally and putting West Michigan ahead, 5-4.

The dramatic comeback was made possible by a fantastic bullpen effort. After Chad Smith was removed in the top of the first inning, three Whitecaps' relievers combined to throw 8.1 innings while allowing just two runs.

Slade Smith took over with the bases loaded in the opening frame and went on to throw 3.2 solid innings. He gave up six hits and walked two, but induced a pair of double plays and stranded all three of his inherited runners to limit the damage to just two runs. Jade Todd (6-2) took over in the fifth and fired off three shutout innings for the win, striking out four and turning in his 12th consecutive scoreless appearance.

Melvin Mercedes (7) finished the job with a five-out save, working through the dangerous top of the Fort Wayne lineup in the ninth and inducing a game-ending double play to thwart a late TinCaps' rally.

The Whitecaps embark on their final road trip of the year with the opener of a four-game series against the Dayton Dragons at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night. RHP Brennan Smith (3-4, 3.45) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Jacob Johnson (2-5, 5.29) of Dayton. Just three home games remain the regular season, with the 'Caps kicking off their season-ending three-game series at Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday, September 1, at 7:00 p.m. Fireworks will follow the ballgame. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from August 24, 2012


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