Whitecaps survive South Bend rally to take two-of-three in series
April 12, 2006 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
SOUTH BEND, IN - After jumping out to a 7-0 lead in the fourth inning, the Whitecaps watched South Bend score in each of the last four innings, but held on for a 7-6 trimph.
Cameron Maybin hit the first home run of his professional career before there was an out in the game. The 400-foot blast made it 3-0, Whitecaps in the first.
Jeramy Laster went deep in his second straight game for West Michigan. Laster led off the fourth inning with a homer the opposite way to right. That sparked a four-run rally in the fourth, which was also highlighted by a two-run single from Will Rhymes.
Luke French pitched the first six innings of the game for the Whitecaps. He allowed just one run on two hits with four walks and four strikeouts to earn the victory.
South Bend rallied with a run in the sixth, two runs in each the seventh and eighth and finally a run in the ninth. Travis Gulick doubled to drive in the final run, but was left stranded at second at the end of the game.
Ricky Stiek recorded all three outs in the eighth for the Whitecaps and did not allow a run. Orlando Perdomo pitched the ninth and earned his second save.
South Bend shortstop Pedro Ciricao fueled rallies in two innings as he went 2-for-5 with a home run, single and two runs scored.
Rhymes finished 3-for-5 with two runs scored and a stolen base. West Michigan shortstop Mike Holliman reached base all five times up. He went 3-for-3 with a walk, hit by pitch, and a run scored.
South Bend starting pitcher Anthony Cupps allowed all seven runs on nine hits in three innings of work. His early-season ERA inched from 20.25 to 20.65.
The Whitecaps matched a season high with 14 hits.
One Stop: The only appearance of the 2006 regular season at Fifth Third Ballpark for the Southwest Michigan Devils Rays will be in the form of a three game series Thursday through Saturday. The Whitecaps will play the Devils Rays ten times this season, but the last seven meetings will be in Battle Creek. Below are the expected pitching match ups for the upcoming series:
(Southwest Michigan vs. West Michigan)
Thursday, 6:35 p.m.
RHP Wade Davis (0-0, 2.25) vs. LHP Ramon Garcia (1-0, 1.80)
Friday, 6:35 p.m.
RHP Greg Reinhard (0-1, 7.50) vs. LHP Erik Averill (0-1, 11.25)
Saturday, 2:00 p.m.
RHP Jason Cayton (0-0, 10.13) vs. RHP Sendy Vasquez (0-0, 0.00)
The Whitecaps Pre Game Show begins at 6:25 p.m. Thursday on 1340 AM WBBL, the Whitecaps Radio Network and at wbbl.com.
Midwest League Stories from April 12, 2006
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- Rattlers Take Series, Two Games to One - Beloit Sky Carp
- Lugnuts take series from Dragons - Lansing Lugnuts
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- Kernels Take Series With 7-3 Win - Peoria Chiefs
- Bees Drop Finale at Kane County - Burlington Bees
- Thomas tames Beloit - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Whitecaps survive South Bend rally to take two-of-three in series - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Devil Rays End Up All Wet - Southwest Michigan Devil Rays
- Martinez Powers Cougars Past Bees - Kane County Cougars
- Fergie Jenkins to Appear at O'Brien Field Thursday - Peoria Chiefs
- Dragons Bullpen Gets a pair of New Faces - Dayton Dragons
- Rodgers Leads Swing Past LumberKings - Clinton LumberKings
- Dragons Defeat Lugnuts - Lansing Lugnuts
- Snappers Win in Extra Innings on Walk Off Shot by Lis - Beloit Sky Carp
- Bees Even Series with Cougars - Burlington Bees
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