MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Rebound For 4-2 Victory

Published on July 11, 2011 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps bounced back from a rough first inning to beat the Bowling Green Hot Rods, 4-2, on Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (10-8, 42-45) won two out of three games in the series, falling behind 2-0 after the first half-inning but holding the Hot Rods scoreless the rest of the way. The Whitecaps broke through for three runs in the fourth inning to take control and win the series over playoff-bound Bowling Green (9-9, 50-38) in their final meeting of the regular season.

Starting pitcher Brian Flynn (2-1) allowed three hits and walked two in the opening frame, but the resilient left-hander bounced back to retire 12 of the next 15 batters he faced. He gave up just two hits the rest of the way to earn the win, allowing only one other baserunner to reach scoring position.

The bullpen was also strong. In his first appearance since rejoining the Whitecaps on Sunday, Clemente Mendoza threw 1.2 scoreless innings of relief. Antonio Cruz followed with 1.1 frames and Bruce Rondon (17) fired off a scoreless ninth for the save.

Trailing 2-0, the Whitecaps broke through against Hot Rods' starter Braulio Lara in the fourth.

Rob Brantly led off the frame with a double to right-center and Nick Castellanos followed with a walk. A passed ball moved the runners to second and third, setting the stage for James Robbins to drive in a run on a bounce-out to shortstop. Ryan Hamme blooped a single to left-center that scored Castellanos to even the game at 2-2.

Hamme moved to second on a single by Dixon Machado and third on a wild pitch, eventually scoring the go-ahead run on a groundout by Jason Krizan.

West Michigan added an insurance run in the eighth, sparked by one-out singles from Machado and Krizan that placed runners at the corners. Steven Moya grounded a would-be double play ball towards the second baseman, but Hector Guevara booted it and the Hot Rods had to settle for just one out on the play. That allowed Machado to score from third for the 4-2 lead.

Lara (3-7) suffered the loss for Bowling Green, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings of work.

The offensive charge was led by Brantly and Machado, each of whom went 3-for-4 with a run scored. The Whitecaps pounded out 11 hits on the night for a three-day total of 41 during the series.

The Whitecaps are off on Tuesday before heading out on a six-game road trip that begins with a 7:07 p.m. first pitch against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Wednesday night at Fox Cities Stadium. RHP Kevin Eichhorn (7-3, 4.46) is scheduled to take the mound for West Michigan against RHP Matt Miller (3-4, 4.89) for Wisconsin. The 'Caps next home game will take place on Wednesday, July 20 at 7:00 p.m. against the Kane County Cougars, featuring a tribute to the Negro Leagues 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.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Midwest League Stories from July 11, 2011


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.

OurSports Central