COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps relied on solid pitching and clutch late hits to win for the 11th time in their last 13 games as they beat the South Bend Cubs 3-1 in front of 6,345 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Whitecaps pitchers silenced South Bend
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps relied on solid pitching and clutch late hits to win for the 11th time in their last 13 games as they beat the South Bend Cubs 3-1 in front of 6,345 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Whitecaps pitchers silenced South Bend in critical situations, holding the Cubs to an 0-for-7 mark with runners in scoring position and allowing just three hits across the final six innings. Meanwhile, Whitecaps designated hitter Josh Crouch finished a perfect 3-for-3 with a run scored and an RBI single in the victory.
South Bend struck in the second inning as catcher Moises Ballesteros collected a solo home run, putting the Cubs on top 1-0. That was the only run Whitecaps starter Wilkel Hernandez allowed, as he gave up four hits through five innings with a pair of strikeouts. West Michigan registered just one hit through the first four frames before Izaac Pacheco crossed the plate on a bases-loaded walk in the fifth, knotting the game at 1-1. With the game tied in the bottom of the seventh inning, Cubs first baseman Felix Stevens committed a throwing error on a close play at second base, allowing Crouch to come home and forging West Michigan in front 2-1. Crouch struck again in the eighth as he added an RBI single before ‘Caps closer Gabe Sequeira posted a scoreless ninth, putting the finishing touches on the 3-1 victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 56-51 overall and 24-18 in the second half, while the Cubs fall to 48-59 and 18-24 in the second half. Whitecaps reliever Williander Moreno (5-3) collects his fifth win, tossing two scoreless innings with two strikeouts, while Sequeira earns his fourth save. Cubs reliever Frankie Scalzo Jr. (4-4) suffers his fourth loss, allowing two runs through two innings pitched. The Whitecaps have won 14 of their last 16 games and sit a half-game ahead of the Dayton Dragons in first place in the Midwest League East division standings.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game series against the South Bend Cubs at LMCU Ballpark on Wednesday at 6:35 pm. Pitchers Troy Melton and Connor Noland get the starts for West Michigan and South Bend. Broadcast coverage begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.