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MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps Take First With Perfect Homestand

June 9, 2014 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps moved into first place and whittled their magic number down to two with a 6-2 victory over the South Bend Silver Hawks on Monday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (38-26) also made history with the win, completing a 6-0 homestand to achieve the first perfect multi-series homestand in franchise history. With sweeps over Great Lakes and South Bend (37-26), the Whitecaps have won 10 of their last 12 games and claimed nine straight home victories - just one shy of a franchise record for consecutive home wins.

The 'Caps led after 46 of the 54 innings played during the dominant homestand. They did not commit an error, allow more than two runs, or score fewer than four runs in any of the six games during the remarkable stretch.

They did fall behind 1-0 in the first inning on Monday, but quickly tied the score during a three-pitch sequence in the third inning that featured consecutive doubles by Bennett Pickar and Francisco Contreras.

One inning later, West Michigan took the lead for good. With the bases loaded and one out, Willy Adames drilled a 1-1 fastball to left field and cleared the bases with a three-run double.

South Bend attempted a comeback in the top of the fifth, using an RBI-single by Andrew Velazquez to cut the deficit to 4-2. With two men aboard and one out, however, Contreras started a 5-4-3 double play that ended the inning and minimized the rally.

The Whitecaps immediately answered in the bottom of the fifth. Austin Schotts led off the inning with a double and Raph Rhymes worked a nine-pitch at-bat before clubbing a double to deep left-center to bring him home. Wynton Bernard added a run-scoring single and the 'Caps took a comfortable 6-2 lead.

Kevin Ziomek (4-5) worked through a rocky first inning to earn the win. He needed 30 pitches to get through the opening frame and quickly fell behind 1-0, but was able to find his command and went on to retire 10 straight batters between the first and fourth innings. Ziomek was charged with two runs on three hits over five innings while fanning seven and walking three.

The bullpen was dominant following his departure.

All-Star reliever Joe Mantiply gave up a leadoff double in the sixth, but that turned out to be the Silver Hawks' last baserunner. Mantiply set down the next nine men he faced on six strikeouts and three groundouts to complete three shutout innings. Scott Sitz took over in the ninth and retired the side in order.

Hector Hernandez (3-2) was roughed up for six runs on 10 hits over five innings in the loss.

The Whitecaps continue their playoff push with a six-game road trip that begins on Tuesday night at 7:05 p.m. against the Great Lakes Loons. All-Star RHP Chad Green (1-2, 3.44) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Scott Barlow (1-2, 4.71) of Great Lakes. Following the road trip, the Whitecaps will host the 2014 Midwest League All-Star Classic at Fifth Third Ballpark on Tuesday, June 17. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. with pre-game festivities before the 7:00 p.m. game. Season, group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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