Whitecaps Swept in South Bend
May 27, 2019 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
SOUTH BEND, IN - The West Michigan Whitecaps finally received an impressive start from a starting pitcher, but the bats went silent as part of a 1-0 loss to the South Bend Cubs in front of a crowd of 3,996 fans on a Memorial Day Monday afternoon at Four Winds Field.
Pitcher Chance Kirby kept Cubs hitters off-balance throughout the Memorial Day contest, allowing just five hits and striking out four in the best start by a Whitecaps pitcher since Garrett Hill tossed seven scoreless innings of a Whitecaps win over Peoria on May 6 at Fifth Third Ballpark. The loss extends the Whitecaps losing streak to a season-high six games, as the club has lost 14 of their last 16 games and hold a record of 8-20 in May.
The only run of the ballgame came in the second inning when Cubs infielder Chris Morel stole third base and scored on a sacrifice fly by Rafelin Lorenzo to become the difference-making offensive play in the contest. The Whitecaps' best scoring chance came in the eighth, as Jeremiah Burks' leadoff double found him at third base with one out. Chris Proctor followed with a ground ball to third where Morel made a spectacular defensive play to making a diving tag to retire the retreating Burks at third to end the threat.
Cubs starting pitcher Cam Sanders (3-2) struck out seven batters - six in order -- in five scoreless innings to pick up his third win of the season, while Kirby (0-2) took the tough-luck loss - his second of the year. Jack Patterson pitched two scoreless innings in relief to earn his first save of the 2019 season. The Whitecaps record falls to 18-32 on the season, while the Cubs improve to 28-21. Proctor recorded a 2-for-4 performance, marking the only "Caps player with multiple hits in the ballgame. The defeat marks the fourth time the Whitecaps have been shutout this season.
The win for South Bend manager Buddy Bailey marked the 2,095th victory of his career, making him the winningest manager in Minor League Baseball.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps return home for a four-game, three-day series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps beginning Tuesday at 7:05 pm. Whitecaps pitcher Adam Wolf gets the start for West Michigan against the TinCaps Gabe Mosser. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2019 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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