Whitecaps split doubleheader; 3-5, 8-4
Published on May 13, 2006 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
LANSING - Matt Joyce hit a grand slam and Mike Hollimon launched a two-run home run to power the Whitecaps past Lansing 8-4 in game two of a doubleheader. The win earned a split in the twinbill and put West Michigan back in first place, a half game ahead of Lansing in the Midwest League Eastern Division.
Hollimon's home run was a two-run shot in the first inning. The blast by Joyce made the score 6-0 in the second.
Matt Rusch made the lead stand up with three shutout innings in his first start of the season.
In the fourth, Lansing scored four runs off reliever Gibbs Wilson, although two of the runs were unearned. It was the first time this season that the Whitecaps have allowed more then four runs in a single inning. David Hicks drove a two-run double to right center, followed by a two-run homer for Josh Bell that slashed the lead to 6-4.
RBI singles from Cory Middleton and Joel Roa pushed the lead back to 8-4 in the sixth inning.
Anthony Claggett threw two scoreless innings of relief to earn the win. Claggett has now pitched 18.1 innings over 13 games this season and is yet to allow a run.
Orlando Perdomo kept Lansing from scoring in the seventh.
The loss marked just the second time this season that the Whitecaps have lost two games in a row.
Game One: The Whitecaps held two separate leads in game one of the double header, but fell 5-3 thanks to a three-run fourth inning by Lansing. West Michigan dropped out of first place with the loss.
Sendy Vasquez took the loss for the Whitecaps and allowed all five Lugnuts runs (4 ER).
Dusty Ryan drove in Will Rhymes on a ground ball in the first inning to put the Whitecaps on top, 1-0.
Rhymes scored in the fourth inning on a single by Mike Hollimon that put West Michigan in front, 3-2.
Lansing came up with three runs in the bottom of the fourth to claim the lead for good at 5-3. The inning was highlighted by a lead-off home run to tie by Anthony Hatch, a wild pitch from Vasquez that allowed Brian Bormaster to score with the go-ahead run and an RBI single by Cory Patton for insurance.
Maybin Watch: Tigers top draft pick (2005) Cameron Maybin did not play in either game on Saturday.
Current Stats: .330 average; 7 2B; 4 3B; 1 HR; 19 RBI; 6 SB.
Below are the expected pitching match ups for the rest of the series:
(Lansing vs. West Michigan)
Sunday, 2:05 p.m.
RHP Aaron Tressler (1-2, 2.66) vs. LHP Erik Averill (4-1, 3.15)
Monday, 7:05 p.m.
LHP Chi-Hung Chen (5-2, 3.24) vs. RHP Burke Badenhop (3-0, 3.97)
The Whitecaps Pre Game Show will begin at 1:55 p.m. Sunday on 1340 AM WBBL and at wbbl.com.
Midwest League Stories from May 13, 2006
- Lugnuts Split Twin Bill - Lansing Lugnuts
- Viva Las Vega; Bees Sweep DH From Swing - Burlington Bees
- Whitecaps split doubleheader; 3-5, 8-4 - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Swing drop a pair in Burlington - Quad Cities River Bandits
- No, No, for Cueto!! - Dayton Dragons
- Cueto tosses rain-shortened no-no - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Cougars Washed Out In Beloit - Kane County Cougars
- Chiefs split Sat DH - Peoria Chiefs
- Rasner Two-Hits Kernels, LumberKings Win Second Straight - Clinton LumberKings
- Rattlers rally from early deficit to slay Dragons - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Snappers and Cougars Washed Away - Beloit Sky Carp
- Fogle Promoted to Bakersfield, Giles Back With LumberKings - Clinton LumberKings
- Cruz returns to Kernels - Cedar Rapids Kernels
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.
