CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The West Michigan Whitecaps offense fell silent for the second straight game, placing only two runners in scoring position as part of a 2-0 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels to begin a 12-game roadtrip on Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field.
The contest remained scoreless
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The West Michigan Whitecaps offense fell silent for the second straight game, placing only two runners in scoring position as part of a 2-0 loss to the Cedar Rapids Kernels to begin a 12-game roadtrip on Tuesday night at Perfect Game Field.
The contest remained scoreless until the bottom of the eighth, when Kala’I Rosario collected a tiebreaking RBI-single and Tanner Schobel added a sacrifice fly to account for the only scoring in the contest and send the ‘Caps to a series opening defeat.
The game was dominated by pitching, as both starters enjoyed a shutout performance. Whitecaps pitcher Carlos Pena continued his Midwest League dominance, lasting four scoreless frames while allowing two hits and two walks while striking out four, lowering his league-best ERA to 0.59. On the other side, Kernels starter Kyle Jones tossed five scoreless frames. The story remained the same once the bullpen took over, as the Kernels Malik Barrington and West Michigan righty Angel Reyes picked up where their starters left off, going a pair of scoreless frames to send the contest into the late innings in a scoreless tie.
The Whitecaps fall to 9-7, while the Kernels improve to 7-8. Cedar Rapids reliever Regi Grace (2-1) collected the win for the Kernels, while Cristhian Tortosa (0-1) gave up both Kernels runs in the eighth in taking his first loss of the 2023 campaign. Steele Walker, continuing his rehab assignment with the ‘Caps, walked twice in a losing cause.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps play the second game of this six-game series against the Cedar Rapids Kernels on Wednesday at 7:35 pm. Pitcher Keider Montero gets the start for West Michigan against the Kernels Jordan Carr. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 7:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.