Whitecaps Swept By Silver Hawks
April 25, 2010 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps were swept away in a three-game series by the South Bend Silver Hawks after losing Sunday's series finale, 5-1, at Fifth Third Ballpark.
West Michigan (6-12) scored just two runs on 13 hits during the set and has scuffled to seven losses in their last eight games. On the other hand, South Bend (8-10) has won seven in a row thanks in part to Sunday's seven scoreless innings by Eric Smith and four RBI from Matt Davidson.
The Silver Hawks wasted little time reaching the scoreboard, opening the ballgame with three consecutive hits in the top of the first. Keon Broxton got it started with a low liner up the middle and Chris Owings smacked a double over the center fielder's head. Bobby Borchering followed with a bloop-single that dropped into left field and scored Broxton, while Matt Davidson added a sacrifice fly for a quick 2-0 lead.
Smith (2-1) did the rest, firing off seven shutout innings and fanning five while allowing just four hits without issuing a walk. He gave up just one hit and two baserunners after the second inning, lowering his ERA to 0.75 and running his scoreless innings streak to an impressive 21 frames.
Davidson continued his big day at the plate by putting the game out of reach with a pair of two-out at-bats in the later innings. With the bases empty in the sixth, he extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a solo homer to left. After a pair of walks in the eighth, he stepped in and cracked a two-run double to push the score to 5-0.
The Whitecaps' lone highlight came in the bottom of the ninth. With one away, Jordan Lennerton drove a 2-0 pitch the other way for a solo homer that accounted for West Michigan's only run.
Victor Larez (1-3) suffered the loss despite a strong outing, making his second spot start in a row in place of Jacob Turner. The 22-year-old from Venezuela tossed seven frames and allowed three runs on five hits, using just 78 pitches to post the quality start.
After a day off on Monday, he Whitecaps continue their six-game homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with a visit from the Lansing Lugnuts at 6:35 p.m. on Tuesday, April 27. LHP Giovanni Soto (1-1, 2.63) will start for West Michigan opposite RHP Chad Jenkins (0-1, 5.63) of the Lugnuts. In addition to a Bob Evans Senior Night featuring half-price box and reserved seats for those over 50, it will also be a Fat Tuesday with all-you-can-eat food and beverage specials at just $15 for adults and $10 for kids. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
• Discuss this story on the Midwest League message board...
Midwest League Stories from April 25, 2010
- Kernels Home Stand Preview: April 27-May 3 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Dyer Busts Up Hot Rods Losing Streak - Bowling Green Hot Rods
- Kernels Snap Bees' Three-Game Winning Streak - Burlington Bees
- Cougars Take Finale of Series in Clinton - Kane County Cougars
- Franklin, Kings Split with Kane County - Clinton LumberKings
- Haerther's Homer Helps Kernels Snap Streak, 7-6 - Cedar Rapids Kernels
- Bandits Sweep Series with Chiefs - Quad Cities River Bandits
- Dragons Homestand Preview - Dayton Dragons
- Lansing Tops Dragons 7-3 Sunday - Dayton Dragons
- Chiefs Swept by Bandits in Sunday Double Header - Peoria Chiefs
- Lugnuts Sweep Dragons, 7-3 - Lansing Lugnuts
- Loons Game Rained Out - Great Lakes Loons
- TinCaps-Loons Rained Out - Fort Wayne TinCaps
- Whitecaps Swept By Silver Hawks - West Michigan Whitecaps
- Smith Dominates As South Bend Wins Seventh Straight - South Bend Silver Hawks
- Osterbrock Impressive in Snappers Victory - Beloit Sky Carp
- Rattlers & Snappers Rained Out On Sunday - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
- Lugnuts Place Sever on DL - Lansing Lugnuts
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.
