Whitecaps Turn It On Late For Comeback Win
Published on August 26, 2010 under Midwest League (MWL1)
West Michigan Whitecaps News Release
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps rallied for six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning on Thursday night, overcoming a late deficit to beat the Lansing Lugnuts, 10-6, at Fifth Third Ballpark.
West Michigan (30-29, 56-72) collected nine of their 17 hits over their final two at-bats, preventing Lansing (28-31, 64-64) from pulling even in the playoff race and reasserting a two-game lead as the two clubs battle for the Eastern Division's final playoff spot. Corey Jones went 4-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI to lead an offense in which all nine players contributed with at least one hit.
The Whitecaps were trailing 5-3 until the decisive bottom of the seventh inning, when everybody in the lineup contributed with a productive at-bat and the first two outs were recorded on sacrifices.
Michael Rockett led off with a groundball single while Hernan Perez split the gap in right-center to bring him home with a double. After a bunt advanced Perez to third and drew the infield in, Jeff Rowland singled through the left side to tie the score. Corey Jones promptly put West Michigan in front by slicing a double down the left field line to plate Rowland, and the 'Caps were off to the races from there.
Following a pitching change, a walk and a passed ball left runners to second and third for Tony Plagman's sacrifice fly. Avisail Garcia drove home a run on an infield single and proceeded to steal second, setting the stage for Rob Brantly to pull a run-scoring hit inside the bag at first. When the dust had settled, 10 Whitecaps had come to the plate to score six runs on six hits and grab a commanding 9-5 lead.
One inning later, Gaynor bounced a two-out single up the middle to score Perez and push the margin to 10-5.
In addition to the big night by Corey Jones, Jamie Johnson and Perez each went 3-for-4 and Rowland chipped in with a 2-for-5 effort. Rowland, Jones and Plagman also drove in two runs apiece.
Antonio Cruz (2-0) earned the win out of the bullpen, entering in the seventh and tossing three solid innings to close out the game. He retired the first eight batters he faced before allowing three consecutive two-out singles and one run in the bottom of the ninth after the game had been decided.
Lansing reliever Brian Slover (3-7) suffered the loss and a blown save after getting roughed up for four runs on four hits in 1.1 innings.
The 'Caps emphatic comeback capped a seesaw affair that saw the lead change hands a number of times.
The Lugnuts jumped out to an early lead for the second straight night, pushing across single runs in the second and third innings. Sean Ochinko was in the middle of both rallies, leading off the second with a double and later scoring on a groundout. In the third, a two-out error allowed Brad Glenn to reach second base and Ochinko singled him home for a 2-0 lead.
The Whitecaps rallied to turn the score around in the bottom of the third. West Michigan broke out for four consecutive hits to open the inning, starting with a single by Perez and a ground rule double by Johnson. Rowland and Corey Jones followed with run-scoring singles to tie the score, while Plagman later added a two-out RBI-double for a 3-2 advantage.
Lansing countered with three runs over the fifth and sixth innings to temporarily recapture the lead. Kevin Ahrens led off the fifth with a double and scored on Ochinko's sacrifice fly to even the score once again. After a one-out walk in the sixth, Justin Jackson and Kevin Nolan smacked consecutive run-scoring extra-base hits as the Lugnuts seized a 5-3 edge.
With just five home games remaining in the regular season, the Whitecaps continue the final homestand of the year at Fifth Third Ballpark with a 7:00 p.m. game against rival playoff hopeful Lansing on Friday, August 27. RHP Victor Larez (7-10, 4.40) is scheduled to take the mound for West Michigan against RHP Drew Hutchison (0-1, 1.84) of the Lugnuts. It will be the last Tiger Friday of the season, featuring a special appearance by Frank Howard and bobblehead dolls in his likeness for the first 1,000 fans. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.
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