COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used clutch hitting and a strong performance from the bullpen to rally past the Fort Wayne TinCaps 8-5 in front of 6,983 fans Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps plated seven runs through the final three innings, finishing 6-for-11 with runners
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used clutch hitting and a strong performance from the bullpen to rally past the Fort Wayne TinCaps 8-5 in front of 6,983 fans Saturday night at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps plated seven runs through the final three innings, finishing 6-for-11 with runners in scoring position. At the same time, relievers Chavez Fernander, Jack Anderson, Cristhian Tortosa, and Angel Reyes combined to allow one run through four innings as the ‘Caps posted 13 total strikeouts in the 8-5 victory.
The Whitecaps took the lead in the first inning as Brady Allen added an RBI single, putting the ‘Caps on top 1-0. The TinCaps responded with three runs in the third as Anthony Vilar added a solo home run before Nerwilian Cedeño collected a two-run homer, taking the 3-1 advantage. Fort Wayne added to their lead in the fourth as Carlos Luis collected a solo homer – making it 4-1 TinCaps. West Michigan responded in the sixth to the tune of three runs – featuring a two-run triple by Allen – leveling the game at 4-4. TinCaps shortstop Kervin Pichardo inched Fort Wayne in front in the eighth with an RBI single before the ‘Caps exploded for four in the bottom half – highlighted by a two-run double from Roberto Campos – taking a commanding 8-5 lead into the ninth. Fort Wayne right fielder Kai Murphy reached base with two outs in the ninth, but the rally fell short, as Angel Reyes generated a strikeout to end the game and slam the door on the 8-5 comeback victory.
The Whitecaps record improves to 45-49 overall and 13-16 in the second half, while the TinCaps fall to 49-46 and 17-12 in the second half. Tortosa (4-4) earns his fourth victory, allowing one run through one inning of work as Reyes collects his second save with a scoreless ninth. TinCaps reliever Will Geerdes (0-1) suffers his first loss of the season, allowing five runs through 1.2 innings pitched. Detroit Tigers prospect and Whitecaps starter Jackson Jobe finished the night allowing four runs through five innings while posting a single-game career-high nine strikeouts before exiting the contest. Allen becomes the fourth Whitecap to post a four-hit game this season, finishing 4-for-4 with a double and three RBI in the victory. The Whitecaps now sit four games behind the Fort Wayne TinCaps for first place in the Midwest League East Division.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps conclude this series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps from LMCU Ballpark with a Sunday matinee at 2:00 pm. Pitcher Spencer Turnbull gets the start for West Michigan as part of a Major League Rehab Assignment against the TinCaps Bodi Rascon. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 1:45 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.