MWL1 West Michigan Whitecaps

Whitecaps take over first place

Published on May 18, 2008 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release


LANSING - Michigan State product Jon Kibler returned to Oldsmobile Park in a Whitecaps uniform and allowed two hits in a complete game victory over Lansing, 4-2. The victory combined with a Dayton loss put the Whitecaps in sole possession of first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division.

Just one of the two runs allowed by Kibler was earned. It came on a home run by Manny Rodriguez in the fourth inning, which ended a streak of nine in a row retired by Kibler.

Kibler went on to set down the final 13 Lansing batters of the game and struck out eight.

Trailing 1-0 in the fourth inning, the Whitecaps erupted for four runs of Lugnuts starter Marc Rzepczynski. A basesloaded wild pitch allowed Justin Henry to score with the tying run. Then with two out, Jordan Newton hit a two-run triple when center fielder Darin Mastroianni dove and missed the line drive. The ball rolled to a stop nearly a hundred feet behind Mastroianni.

Audy Ciriaco gave the 'Caps a 4-1 advantage with an infield single that drove in Newton.

Brad Cuthbertson (2 IP) and Edgar Estanga (3 IP) came out of the Lansing bullpen and combined to keep West Michigan off the scoreboard for the remainder of the game.

The first Lugnuts run came in the first inning after Kevin Ahrens walked with one out and advanced to second on a balk by Kibler, which was the twelfth of the year charged to Whitecaps pitchers. Ahrens scored on a passed ball charged to 'Caps catcher Joe Bowen.

Mike McDade doubled in the fifth inning to account for Lansing's other hit. He was the last Lugnut of the game to reach base.

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Midwest League Stories from May 18, 2008


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