
Whitecaps Shutout Hot Rods in Series Opener, 3-0
May 18, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Bowling Green Hot Rods News Release
Bowling Green, Ky. - Whitecaps starter Jeff Thompson tossed 5.2 shutout frames and combined with two relievers on a five-hitter, as West Michigan (19-19) blanked Bowling Green, 3-0, in front of 2,179 fans at Bowling Green Ballpark Monday evening.
A former third round pick in 2013 out of the University of Louisville, Thompson (1-4) allowed just three hits - two by Hot Rods (22-16) catcher Nick Ciuffo - while walking one and fanning five in collecting his first victory since Aug. 28, 2013.
Dating back to last series, Bowling Green has not scored a run against West Michigan in 20 innings, falling to 1-4 against the Whitecaps this season.
West Michigan scored all it would need in the second against BG starter Greg Harris on Zach Shepherd's sacrifice fly for a 1-0 lead.
Joey Pankake reached on a leadoff two-base error in the fourth, eventually coming home on Shane Zeile's two-out RBI single resulting in a 2-0 cushion.
After defeating the Whitecaps - and Thompson - just six days earlier at Fifth Third Ballpark, Harris (2-3) was touched for six hits over 5.1 innings of work, but allowed just two runs - one earned - while walking a season-high three and fanning a pair.
Hunter Wood penned the final 3.2 innings out of the Hot Rods bullpen, surrendering a run in the eighth on Zeile's second RBI coming in the form of a sacrifice fly, making for the eventual 3-0 final.
Tyler Ford worked 2.1 solid innings of relief for the Whitecaps following Thompson, while Johan Belisario earned his fifth save with a scoreless ninth.
Bowling Green's defense turned three double plays but could not plate any runners, getting shutout for just the third time this season, second at the hands of West Michigan following an 11-0 defeat last Thursday in Comstock Park, Mich.
Game two, set for Tuesday at 6:35 p.m. CDT, features Hot Rods right-hander Hyrum Formo (3-1, 4.22) toeing the slab against Whitecaps righty Spencer Turnbull (3-1, 3.03) in a pitching rematch from May 13, which West Michigan won 10-2.
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