COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used a massive eighth inning to carry them to a 6-5 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of 6,029 fans Sunday evening at LMCU Ballpark.
WATCH: WHITECAPS RALLY FOR SECOND STRAIGHT DAY
West Michigan relievers Elvis Alvarado, Gabe Sequeira, Trevin
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used a massive eighth inning to carry them to a 6-5 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of 6,029 fans Sunday evening at LMCU Ballpark.
WATCH: WHITECAPS RALLY FOR SECOND STRAIGHT DAY
West Michigan relievers Elvis Alvarado, Gabe Sequeira, Trevin Michael, and Dario Gardea combined to allow just one run through the last 2.2 innings as the Whitecaps collected five of their six base hits in the eighth – scoring four runs to earn the 6-5 comeback victory.
Fort Wayne struck in the top of the first inning as Graham Pauley added a two-run homer, delivering the TinCaps the 2-0 lead. The ‘Caps leveled the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the second inning as TinCaps first baseman Nathan Martorella mishandled a ground ball, allowing two runs to come home and score. The Whitecaps managed just one hit through the first 7.1 innings, as TinCaps pitchers Bodi Rascon and Adam Smith combined to allow one hit with six strikeouts. Meanwhile, Fort Wayne added to their advantage in the top of the seventh as Juan Zabala and Kervin Pichardo collected RBI singles, retaking the lead 4-2. The Whitecaps exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth – featuring an RBI double from Dillon Paulson – retaking the 6-4 lead. The TinCaps added a run in the ninth on an RBI single from Nerwillian Cedeño, but the rally fell short, as ‘Caps second baseman Carlos Mendoza made a diving catch to slam the door on the 6-5 victory.
The Whitecaps record improves to 46-49 overall and 14-16 in the second half, while the TinCaps fall to 49-47 and 17-13 in the second half. Michael (4-4) picks up his fourth win while Gardea earns his fourth save. TinCaps reliever Ethan Routzahn (2-2) suffers his second loss, allowing two runs through just 0.2 innings. Whitecaps starter and Detroit Tigers pitcher Spencer Turnbull finished his second rehab appearance allowing two runs through three innings with four punchouts. The Whitecaps now sit three games behind the Fort Wayne TinCaps for first place in the Midwest League East Division.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps open a six-game series against the Lake County Captains from LMCU Ballpark on Tuesday at 6:35 pm. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.