COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Solid pitching and late offense helped the West Michigan Whitecaps rally past the Lake County Captains 5-3, securing the series victory in front of 6,768 fans Sunday evening at LMCU Ballpark.
Whitecaps pitching was exceptional with runners in scoring position, holding Lake County to a 1-for-13
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Solid pitching and late offense helped the West Michigan Whitecaps rally past the Lake County Captains 5-3, securing the series victory in front of 6,768 fans Sunday evening at LMCU Ballpark.
Whitecaps pitching was exceptional with runners in scoring position, holding Lake County to a 1-for-13 mark as the offense rallied for two runs in the eighth inning to secure the series win.
Lake County loaded the bases in the second inning but couldn’t convert, as catcher Joe Donovan flew out to end the frame. West Michigan struck first in the third inning as Izaac Pacheco roped an RBI double, scoring Ryan Kreidler and jumping in front 1-0. ‘Caps first baseman Chris Meyers extended the lead in the fifth inning, smoking a two-run single to go up 3-0. The Captains responded in the sixth as third baseman Dayan Frias blasted his first home run of the season – a three-run shot – tying the game at 3-3. Lake County put runners on second and third base with one out in the eighth but couldn’t capitalize, as Whitecaps reliever Cristhian Tortosa retired the final two batters to keep the game locked at 3-3. The Whitecaps responded swiftly, as Austin Murr added an RBI in the bottom half before Kreidler drew a bases-loaded walk to storm in front 5-3. The Captains failed to rally in the ninth, as West Michigan closer Erick Pinales retired the side in order, earning the save and the slim 5-3 victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 26-19 and sit four games behind the Great Lakes Loons for first place in the Midwest League East division. The Captains fall to 22-23. Tortosa (2-3) tossed a scoreless inning with a strikeout, securing his second win of the year as Pinales collected his first save. Captains reliever Lenny Torres Jr. (0-1) suffered his first loss, allowing two runs through 0.2 innings. The Whitecaps registered two stolen bases in the victory – the first time they have done so in 2023.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps open a six-game series on the road against the Dayton Dragons beginning Tuesday from Day Air Ballpark at 7:05pm. Lefty Carlos Pena is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against Dayton’s Hunter Parks. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.