MIDLAND, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps put on a power display to carry them to a 12-4 victory in game one of a doubleheader before failing to generate any offense in game two, falling 3-2 to the Great Lakes Loons in front of 6,321 fans Saturday night at Dow
MIDLAND, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps put on a power display to carry them to a 12-4 victory in game one of a doubleheader before failing to generate any offense in game two, falling 3-2 to the Great Lakes Loons in front of 6,321 fans Saturday night at Dow Diamond.
West Michigan collected three home runs in the first game – coming one shy of their single game-high this season – as all-but-one ‘Caps batter recorded a hit in the 12-4 victory. At the same time, Whitecaps starter Jackson Jobe posted eight strikeouts while allowing three runs through five innings in his second win this year. In the second game, the ‘Caps managed just two hits through the final three innings while finishing 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the narrow 3-2 defeat.
The Whitecaps opened the first game with a three-run home run from Brady Allen in the first inning, jumping in front 3-0. West Michigan added to their lead in the second as a double-steal allowed Izaac Pacheco to cross the plate before scoring two more runs in the fourth – highlighted by a solo home run from Andrew Jenkins – expanding their lead to 6-0. Jobe allowed just three hits through the first four innings before the Loons collected three runs in the bottom of the fifth – featuring a two-run homer from Yeiner Fernandez – cutting the lead to 6-3. The Whitecaps added two insurance runs in the sixth as Luke Gold collected a solo homer before Eliezer Alfonzo added an RBI, expanding their advantage to 8-3. West Michigan then exploded for four runs in the seventh – featuring a line-drive RBI single from Austin Murr – as the lead ballooned to 12-3. Great Lakes second baseman Taylor Young collected a solo homer in the seventh, but it was too late, as ‘Caps closer Erick Pinales slammed the door to earn the 12-4 victory.
The ‘Caps scored first in the second game as Carlos Mendoza crossed the plate on a wild pitch in the first inning, jumping in front 1-0. The Loons responded with a two-run homer from Jake Vogel before Griffin Lockwood-Powell added an RBI single in the fourth, forging the Loons in front 3-1. West Michigan added a run in the seventh on an RBI single from Gage Workman but couldn’t complete the comeback, as Great Lakes closer Michael Hobbs induced a flyout to end the game and earn the 3-2 win.
The Whitecaps are now 54-51 overall and 22-18 in the second half, while the Loons are 65-41 overall and 20-22 in the second half. Jobe (2-0) collects his second win in the first game, while Peter Heubeck (0-2) suffers his second loss, allowing four runs through three innings pitched. In the second game, Whitecaps starter Garrett Burhenn (4-6) suffers his sixth loss, allowing three runs through 3.2 innings. Meanwhile, Loons reliever Benony Robles (4-1) collects his fourth win with 1.2 scoreless innings of work, while Michael Hobbs gets his fifth save, giving up a run through 1.1 innings. The Whitecaps have won 12 of their last 14 games and sit just a half-game out of first place in the Midwest League East Division.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps move this six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons from Dow Diamond to Sunday at 1:05 pm. Pitchers Dylan Smith and Jerming Rosario get the starts for West Michigan and Great Lakes. Broadcast coverage begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 12:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.