Whitecaps Take Opener in Dayton

May 7, 2015 - Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release

DAYTON, OH - A.J. Ladwig matched a West Michigan Whitecaps season-high by throwing seven innings allowing three runs as they defeated the Dayton Dragons 5-3 Thursday night at Fifth Third Field.

The Whitecaps scored the first two runs of the ballgame in a first-inning highlighted by Ross Kivett scoring on a Dragons double-error following a Mike Gerber single. In the third, Gerber brought home another with a run-scoring double; but the Dragons tied the game scoring two in the bottom of the frame in-part by Jonathan Reynoso's first home run, a solo shot to tie the game at three. In the fifth, West Michigan scored its go-ahead runs on an RBI-groundout by Kivett and a Gerber sacrifice fly to give the 'Caps a 5-3 lead.

Ladwig (2-3) worked out of early trouble in both the third and fourth innings to pick up his second win after spinning seven frames while striking out four. Tyler Mahle (2-3) gave up five runs in five innings in his third loss of the season. Johan Belisario worked a perfect ninth inning to notch his fourth save of 2015. West Michigan improves to 12-16, while the Dragons fall to 15-13 on the season.

EXTRA SLOPPY

The Dragons committed five errors in the ballgame. The total is the most a Whitecaps opponent has made against West Michigan this season.

OVER-ZEILE-LOUS

Whitecaps catcher Shane Zeile was the first West Michigan player to be ejected this season when base umpire Zach Tieche tossed him for arguing the result of a ninth-inning groundout.

UP NEXT

The middle game of this three-game series takes place Friday night at 7:00p.m. as Whitecaps pitcher Trent Szkutnik starts for West Michigan against Dayton's Wyatt Strahan. Radio coverage with Dan Hasty begins at 6:50p.m. on the Whitecaps Baseball Network. Don't forget that season, group and individual tickets can be reserved for any 2015 home game by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

Midwest League Stories from May 7, 2015

• South Bend Squeaks Past Hot Rods, 3-2 - Bowling Green Hot Rods
• Loons Commit Five Gaffes in Loss - Great Lakes Loons
• Whitecaps Take Opener in Dayton - West Michigan Whitecaps
• Offense Backs Anderson in Rout of Peoria - Burlington Bees
• Gettys and Cordero Go Deep to Open Homestand - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• Whitecaps Top Dragons 5-3 in Series Opener - Dayton Dragons
• Chiefs Blown Out in Burlington - Peoria Chiefs
• Captains Capitalize on Loon's Mistakes - Lake County Captains
• Dragons Introduce New Orange Jerseys - Dayton Dragons
• Padres Call up Former TinCap Austin Hedges - Fort Wayne TinCaps
• South Bend Cubs Announce Upcoming Game/Promotion Schedule - South Bend Cubs
• Timber Rattlers to Hold Bark in the Park on May 17 - Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
• Swing with the Loons Set for July 27 - Great Lakes Loons

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.

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