MWL West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Split Two in Lansing

Published on September 15, 2021 under Midwest League (MWL)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


LANSING, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps won the race against the Lansing Lugnuts to 200 wins as part of splitting a doubleheader with a 7-2 win and a 6-2 loss at Jackson Field on Wednesday evening.

The victory came in the first of two games, giving the Whitecaps their 200th victory over Lansing in a rivalry dating back to 1996 - the Lugnuts first season as part of the Midwest League. The Whitecaps need to win two of their final four games this season to win their 2,000th game in franchise history. They could also finish with a .500 record by winning three of their last four games and could finish over the break-even mark by winning their remaining four contests.

In Game 1, Parker Meadows got the Whitecaps on the board in a big way, launching a three-run homer estimated at 418 feet to give West Michigan a 3-0 lead. Leading 3-1 in the fifth, Rey Rivera launched a solo home run to highlight a two-run frame and extend the 'Caps lead to 5-1. Rivera's homer tied him with Garth McKinney of the 2004 Whitecaps for second place in the race for the all-time, single-season record. Only infielder Kelly Hunt, also of the 2004 team, hit more with 21 home runs. Rivera needs two homers to tie the record and three to break the franchise record in the final four games.

In the nightcap, Lansing took control with a four-run first inning against West Michigan pitcher R.J. Petit in his High-A debut, highlighted by a two-run double by Drew Swift to take a 4-1 lead. Wenceel Perez added a solo home run and a pair of RBI in a losing cause. The two teams have played 20 games against one another this season, with each squad holding an even 10-10 record.

Jack O'Loughlin (2-1) gave up just two runs in six innings to earn his second win with West Michigan, while Petit (0-1) suffered his first loss by giving up four runs in two-thirds of an inning. The Whitecaps record moves to 57-59 as the Lugnuts record stands at 55-61. Meadows reached base four times in the two contests to lead the offense on Wednesday night. Outfielder Austin Murr and infielder Colt Keith left with presumed injures in the first game of the doubleheader and are considered day-to-day.

UP NEXT

The Whitecaps continue the final series of the 2021 regular season against the Lansing Lugnuts on Thursday at 7:05 pm. West Michigan sends righty Brendan White to the mound against lefty David Leal. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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Midwest League Stories from September 15, 2021


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