MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Ride Early Six-Spot To Victory

Published on June 22, 2012 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps showed no signs of rust following the four-day All-Star break, plating six runs in the second inning to run away with a 7-1 win over the South Bend Silver Hawks on Friday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

After closing out the first half with wins in 15 of their final 20 games, West Michigan (1-0, 37-34) picked up right where they left off in the second-half opener on Friday, pounding out 13 hits and taking advantage of four South Bend (0-1, 35-36) errors to cruise to an easy victory.

Luis Castillo and Zach Maggard, who were added to the roster earlier in the day, were two of five Whitecaps' players to register multi-hit games. Castillo led the way with two doubles and two RBI in his return to Fifth Third Ballpark, where he turned in a breakout season as West Michigan's starting center fielder in 2011.

The game was all but decided in the bottom of the second inning, when 10 men came to the plate to score six runs on six hits.

Three straight singles started the rally, including a run-scoring knock by Jeff Holm that broke up the scoreless tie. Brandon Loy followed with a sacrifice bunt and reached safely on a fielding error to load the bases. That set the stage for Castillo to yank a two-run double down the right field line for a 3-0 lead.

A double play groundout drove in another run, while Aaron Westlake and Jason King each added run-scoring doubles to cap the rally with a 6-0 advantage.

That was more than enough for Wilsen Palacios (8-4), who threw five shutout innings to earn the victory. Palacios was one of four pitchers that combined to strand 11 South Bend runners on base, overcoming six walks and eight hits - all singles - to hold the Silver Hawks to just one run.

Eugenio Suarez added an RBI-single in the sixth that made it 7-0, part of a 2-for-2 day that included five productive plate appearances. In addition to a pair of singles and an RBI, the All-Star shortstop drew a walk, was hit by a pitch, laid down a sacrifice bunt and stole a base.

Tyler Green (2-4) was dealt the loss, serving up six runs - three earned - on nine hits over 3.2 innings of work.

The Whitecaps continue a six-game homestand at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday night with the middle game of a three-game series against the South Bend Silver Hawks. LHP Kyle Ryan (4-2, 3.74) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP J.R. Bradley (3-4, 4.88) of South Bend in a game that will feature an appearance by Rick the Reptile Guy and post-game fireworks. 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 June 22, 2012


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