Whitecaps Steal Series Finale
August 7, 2018 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Joey Morgan provided a late-inning game-winning RBI sacrifice fly to give the West Michigan Whitecaps a 2-1 victory over the Dayton Dragons in front of 4,703 fans Monday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Dane Myers started for West Michigan against Dayton lefty Packy Naughton. Myers danced out of trouble through the first three innings, managing to strand five Dragons on the base paths. Meanwhile, Naughton recorded his first six outs via strikeouts. The game remained scoreless until the Dayton fourth when Mark Kolozsvary slapped an RBI-double for a 1-0 lead. Myers exited the game abruptly with an apparent injury in the middle of the sixth inning. Clate Schmidt entered in relief and kept the "Caps in the game, providing three innings of shutout baseball.
In the eighth inning, the Whitecaps brewed a rally. Brady Policelli slapped a single to center, and Dylan Rosa posted a deep triple to center field, scoring Policelli and tying the ballgame at one. Morgan delivered by lifting a medium-depth fly ball to right field and on the ensuing catch Rosa raced home and eluded the tag to score the go-ahead run. Billy Lescher, who is fast becoming the go-to closer for the "Caps recorded the final out an inning later and helped West Michigan take two of three games in the series. The Whitecaps managed only seven hits on the evening, but Morgan, the 25th overall prospect for the Tiger's organization, enjoyed his first three-hit game of the 2018 season.
Schmidt (9-2) picked up the win and owns the most victories on the 'Caps pitching staff. Lescher picked up save number four of 2018 as West Michigan won their ninth game of their last eleven. The "Caps bullpen has only relinquished one earned run in the last 21.2 innings. Naughton (5-10) struck out a season-high nine and allowed no runs but suffered the Dragon defeat. The Whitecaps advance to 22-21 in the second half and 58-55 overall and maintain a hold on a potential playoff spot in the second half of the Eastern Division standings. Dayton falls to 20-24 in the second half and 51-61 overall.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps enjoy a Tuesday travel day before opening a three-game series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods beginning Wednesday night at 7:35 pm. Pitcher Elvin Rodriguez gets the start against Hot Rods righty Tommy Romero. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 7:25 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Midwest League Stories from August 7, 2018
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- Whitecaps Steal Series Finale - West Michigan Whitecaps
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