LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps got behind early and couldn’t fully rally despite a valiant effort as part of a 6-4 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts on Saturday night at Jackson Field.
A lengthy top of the second inning culminated in a three-run double by Lugnuts infielder Jack
LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps got behind early and couldn’t fully rally despite a valiant effort as part of a 6-4 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts on Saturday night at Jackson Field.
A lengthy top of the second inning culminated in a three-run double by Lugnuts infielder Jack Winkler cleared the bases and helped Lansing open up an early four-run lead.
The second inning saw Whitecaps starter Garrett Burhenn run into trouble, giving up an RBI-single to CJ Rodriguez and loading the bases before manager Brayan Peña was forced to go to his bullpen and bring in reliever Chavez Fernander. The first batter he faced was Jack Winkler, who helped extend the lead to 4-0. The ensuing innings saw the Whitecaps whittle their deficit down to just one run, but Lansing homers by Oakland Athletics first-round picks Daniel Susac and Max Muncy helped preserve their lead. Leading 6-4 in the ninth, Lugnuts pitcher Jorge Juan walked ‘Caps outfielder Roberto Campos to bring the potential tying run to the plate in Izaac Pacheco, who had homered for the third straight game in his previous at-bat. On a 1-2 pitch, the 20-year-old Pacheco lofted a fly ball into the right-center field gap, only to have a potential extra-base hit taken away with a diving catch by right fielder Caeden Trenkle to end the game and seal the Lansing victory.
The Whitecaps loss brings their record to 6-2, while the Lugnuts improve to 5-3. Burhenn (0-1) left having allowed four runs – all earned – in 1.2 innings on the mound to take his first loss, while Lansing pitcher Blake Beers (2-0) gave up three runs in four frames to pick up his second win in as many outings. Outfielder Austin Murr reached base three times in a 2-for-4 performance to lead the offense. Pacheco’s home run was his sixth at the High-A level and fifth in Lansing since he joined the Whitecaps.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps conclude this six-game series against the Lansing Lugnuts on Sunday at 1:05 pm. Lefty Jack O’Loughlin makes his second start of the season and this series, gets the start for the ‘Caps against the Lugnuts Jack Perkins. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 12:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.