Whitecaps slug past Dayton

Published on August 14, 2009 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

DAYTON, OH- Gustavo Nunez's grand slam highlighted a nine-run, first inning explosion as the West Michigan Whitecaps cruised to a 14-2 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Thursday night at Fifth Third Field. The Whitecaps belted three homeruns in the game, including two from Nunez, and starter Luke Putkonen tossed seven strong innings for his seventh win. West Michigan has now won two of the three games played in the series.

Despite the offensive struggles through the previous six games of the road trip, the Whitecaps shook off a tough, twelve inning loss the night before and erupted for fourteen runs. Fourteen men came to the plate in the first inning. Dayton starter J.C. Sulbaran lasted just two-thirds of an inning as the ‘Caps collected five hits, and Gustavo Nunez ripped the second grand slam of the season to right.

Ahead 10-0, Luke Putkonen surrendered four hits and two runs to the Dragons in the fourth.

Gustavo Nunez led off the fifth with his second homerun of the game, a solo shot, and the Whitecaps' lead was 11-2.

In the seventh, Ben Guez lofted a very high drive to left that just made it over the wall past left fielder Alex Oliveras. The two-run homer brought in Brent Wyatt along with Geuz for a 13-2 advantage.

Putkonen scattered 9 hits over his 7 innings with no walks and 1 strikeout. He's now 7-8.

J.C. Sulbaran takes the loss and falls to 3-3.

Nunez had one of his finest games as a Whitecap. He finished 4-5 with two homeruns, 5 RBI and 3 runs.

Ben Guez was 3-5 with a homerun and a double. He had 3 RBI and 2 runs.

Billy Nowlin and Avisail Garcia each had 2 hits. Nowlin had 2 RBI.

The Whitecaps go for the series win on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. ET at Fifth Third Field.

Midwest League Stories from August 14, 2009

• Sands to the Rescue - Great Lakes Loons
• Snappers Gain Series Split, Win 2-0 - Beloit Sky Carp
• Rattlers Batter Kernels For Third Straight Win - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Bandits Survive With Two-Out Hits - Quad Cities River Bandits
• TinCaps Squander Lead, Lose 6-5 to Loons - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Chiefs Beat Bees 10-3 Friday - Peoria Chiefs
• Caps Beat Dragons - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Silver Hawks Split Series, Stop Lugnuts, 7-2 - Lansing Lugnuts
• Bees Lose Game and Series to Peoria - Burlington Bees
• Hawks Defeat Lugnuts, Split Series - South Bend Silver Hawks
• Dragons Fall 9-7 - Dayton Dragons
• TinCaps Partner with Tools for Schools - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Nunez Activated - Kane County Cougars
• Rattlers Start 4-game series with Beloit on Saturday - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Dragons Add Pitcher to Roster - Dayton Dragons
• Today's Loons Game Sold Out - Great Lakes Loons
• Dragons Gameday August 14th - Dayton Dragons
• Will Smith activated from DL - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Bourquin Returning to West Michigan, Douglas to DL - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Kernels rally ends one run short – fall to Wisconsin, 6-5 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
• Whitecaps slug past Dayton - West Michigan Whitecaps

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.

Other Recent West Michigan Whitecaps Stories

• 'Caps Blast Past Lake County, 8-4
• 'Caps Drop Series Opener to Captains, 4-2
• 'Caps Take Series in Skubal's Dominant Return
• 'Caps Slay Dragons, 11-3
• Sojka Sends Whitecaps to Wild Walk-off Win