COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps loaded the bases twice but couldn’t capitalize as TinCaps pitcher Robert Gasser dominated in a 4-2 Fort Wayne TinCaps victory in front of 5,325 fans Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Gasser tossed six shutout innings allowing just four hits while striking out
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps loaded the bases twice but couldn’t capitalize as TinCaps pitcher Robert Gasser dominated in a 4-2 Fort Wayne TinCaps victory in front of 5,325 fans Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Gasser tossed six shutout innings allowing just four hits while striking out five batters as the Whitecaps left 12 runners on base, finishing 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position in the narrow defeat.
Whitecaps starter Ty Madden looked strong through four scoreless frames before Fort Wayne broke the tie in the fifth, as Corey Rosier roped a two-run single before Jarryd Dale added an RBI, forging in front 3-0. The ‘Caps responded in the seventh inning with an RBI single from Ben Malgeri before a groundout erased a bases-loaded threat, slimming the advantage to 3-1. Lucas Dunn struck for a run-scoring single in the top half of the ninth inning, extending the Fort Wayne lead to 4-1. West Michigan loaded the bases with none out in the bottom half of the ninth inning. Still, they failed to capitalize, as Ben Malgeri crossed the plate on a double-play before Josh Crouch popped out to end the game, sending Fort Wayne on to the 4-2 victory.
Gasser (4-8) secures his fourth win as closer Gabe Morales collects his first save, allowing just one run after loading the bases in the ninth inning. Whitecaps reliever Gio Arriera (7-1) suffers his first loss, allowing three runs through two innings pitched. Whitecaps catcher Cooper Johnson enjoyed a solid night, catching two baserunners trying to steal, including a pickoff at first base, while finishing 1-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Meanwhile, Madden extends his scoreless streak to 14 innings, allowing just five hits while collecting 13 strikeouts through his last three starts. The TinCaps improve to 29-45 and a 2-6 second half, while the Whitecaps fall to 36-38 with a first-place 5-3 second-half record.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps conclude this six-game series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps as we celebrate America’s independence on Sunday night from LMCU Ballpark at 6:00 pm. Pitchers Keider Montero and Ryan Bergert get the starts for West Michigan and Fort Wayne. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 5:45 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.