MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Schooled By 16-Year-Old Urias

Published on June 6, 2013 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Sixteen-year-old left-hander Julio Urias stole the show on Thursday night, earning his first professional win in just his third appearance as the visiting Great Lakes Loons defeated the West Michigan Whitecaps, 4-1, at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (28-29) and Great Lakes (19-40) will play the rubber match of their three-game series on Friday night.

Urias (1-0) dealt five scoreless innings to help the Loons snap a seven-game losing streak, showing command of a low-90's fastball, a breaking ball and a changeup. The young southpaw mixed all three of his pitches well throughout the evening to keep the Whitecaps off balance, allowing just one hit and two walks while striking out five.

Urias faced only one batter over the minimum, using a groundball double play and a pickoff to erase two of his three baserunners. The only hit he allowed was a leadoff single by Danry Vasquez in the fourth.

Meanwhile, Great Lakes cracked the scoreboard in the top of the first inning and led the whole way. After one-out singles by Eric Smith and Tyler Ogle, a sacrifice fly by Aaron Miller made it 1-0.

In the fourth, the Loons added the three runs that proved to be the winning margin. Ogle and Corey Seager each delivered solo home runs. Joe Winker then smacked a two-out double and scored on a base hit by Leo Rodriguez to push the lead to 4-0.

Yorfrank Lopez (6-3) took the loss despite pitching well outside of the bumpy fourth inning. The right-hander was charged with four runs on seven hits over six innings of work, striking out three without issuing a walk.

West Michigan broke up the shutout with a two-out rally in the eighth. After Jake Stewart drew a walk and Austin Schotts singled, Vasquez capped a 2-for-4 night with a run-scoring hit that made it 4-1.

But Jared Reaves flew out to end the rally and Great Lakes' Craig Stem (1) retired the side in order in the ninth to end the ballgame.

The Whitecaps continue an eight-game, six-day homestand at 7:00 p.m. on Friday night with the finale of a three-game series against the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Ballpark. RHP Jake Thompson (0-0, 4.76) will take the mound for West Michigan opposite RHP Angel Sanchez (1-6, 4.86) of Great Lakes while Rally the traveling mascot will provide the in-game entertainment. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Check out the West Michigan Whitecaps Statistics

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



Midwest League Stories from June 6, 2013


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