COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Spencer Torkelson put on a show as a solid pitching performance carried the West Michigan Whitecaps to a 9-0 shutout victory over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 5,249 fans Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Torkelson finished 2-for-5 with a run scored, two doubles, and three RBIs as Whitecaps starter Beau Brieske (2-2) enjoyed the longest start of any Whitecaps pitcher this season, tossing 6.2 shutout innings with seven strikeouts in his second win on the year.
The Whitecaps piled on the runs in the fifth inning, plating five runners – highlighted by a two-run single from Bryant Packard – putting the ‘Caps ahead 5-0. West Michigan added three insurance tallies in the next inning. Daniel Cabrera pounded an RBI-single before Torkelson added his second double on the night, plating a pair to extend the ‘Caps lead to 8-0. Whitecaps bullpen arms Sam Kessler and Sandel De La Cruz shut the Lugnuts down through the last 2.1 innings as Wenceel Perez blasted his second home run of the year to slam the door on a 9-0 shutout — and second shutout in the past three games.
Lugnuts starting pitcher Colin Peluse (2-2) went 4.2 innings allowing five runs on seven hits in his second loss this season. The Whitecaps improve to 19-15 as the Lansing Lugnuts fall to 16-19. The Whitecaps have outscored the Lugnuts 28-4 over the last three games. Torkelson is 8-for-11 with three doubles, a triple, a home run, six runs scored, and seven RBIs in his previous three games.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Lugnuts wrap up this six-game set Sunday at 2:00 pm. West Michigan sends pitcher Jesus Rodriguez to the mound against Stevie Emanuels for the Lugnuts. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 1:45 pm. Get your tickets for all 2021 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
