Whitecaps top Yankees

Published on April 16, 2004 under Midwest League (MWL1)
Southwest Michigan Devil Rays News Release


COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. -- The Battle Creek Yankees slugged three home runs — all solo shots — but fell to the West Michigan Whitecaps 9-4 in Midwest League baseball action Friday night. It was the first road game of the season for the Yankees, who dropped to 3-5.

Erold Andrus, John Urick and Bryce Kartler each homered for the Yankees. It was the second homer of the season for both Andrus and Urick. Battle Creek rapped 11 hits in the game, including three each by Andrus and Urick.

West Michigan pounded out 13 hits, and scored five runs in the third and three in the fourth to even its record at 4-4.

Vince Blue crushed the first pitch of the bottom of the first inning over the right-field fence to give the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. Andrus countered for the Yankees, blasting the first pitch of the top of the second home in almost the same spot for a home run.

The Yankees took a 2-1 lead in the third on a two-out single by Eric Duncan and a double by Andrus.

The Whitecaps scored five runs with no outs in the bottom of the third to grab a 6-2 lead. The uprising was capped by a three-run homer by Kelly Hunt.

The Yankees pulled within 6-4 in the fourth with a pair of solo homers — a lead-off blast by Urick and a two-out shot by Kartler.

West Michigan chased Battle Creek starter Josh Smith (0-2) and scored three runs in the fourth for a 9-4 edge. The Yankees threatened in the eighth with three straight one-out singles to load the bases, but a 1-2-3 double play ended the inning.

It was the home opener for the Whitecaps and the debut of deep-fried cheesecake in the concessions stands at Old Kent Park. A crowd of 10,667 — almost twice the total of the Battle Creek Yankees' first seven home games combined — was on hand for the game.

BATTLE CREEK YANKEES at WEST MICHIGAN WHITECAPS

Saturday — LHP Abel Gomez (0-0, 7.71) vs. RHP Brian Rogers (0-0, 1.50), 2 p.m.

Sunday — RHP Tyler Clippard (0-1, 3.38) vs. LHP Chris Steinborn (0-1, 3.86), 2 p.m.

Monday — LHP Chase Wright (0-1, 1.54) vs. RHP Andy Baldwin (2-0, 0.75), 6:35 p.m.

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Midwest League Stories from April 16, 2004


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