COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps mounted a tenth inning rally as a bases-loaded walk plated the winning run in a 4-3 victory over the South Bend Cubs in front of a season-high 8,319 fans Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps drew seven walks in the victory
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps mounted a tenth inning rally as a bases-loaded walk plated the winning run in a 4-3 victory over the South Bend Cubs in front of a season-high 8,319 fans Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps drew seven walks in the victory – including the game-winning RBI – as they plated three runs in the top of the tenth inning to rally past the Cubs. Meanwhile, Whitecaps starter Troy Melton matched his longest start as a professional – allowing just three hits through six scoreless innings of work.
The Whitecaps struck first in the third inning as Carlos Mendoza collected an RBI single, putting the ‘Caps in front 1-0. That was the only run South Bend starting pitcher Connor Noland surrendered, as he finished with five strikeouts through five innings – keeping the deficit at 1-0. At the same time, Whitecaps reliever Cristhian Tortosa picked up where Melton left off, tossing a shutout seventh to maintain the 1-0 lead. South Bend finally scored in the eighth inning as first baseman Felix Stevens added a solo home run, leveling the game at 1-1. South Bend took the lead in the top of the tenth, as Stevens and Ezequiel Pagan struck for RBI singles, forging the Cubs in front 3-1. The Whitecaps leveled the game in the bottom of the tenth with a pair of RBI from Gage Workman and Eliezer Alfonzo before Dom Johnson drew a bases-loaded to walk off the Cubs 4-3.
The Whitecaps improve to 57-51 overall and 25-18 in the second half, while the Cubs fall to 48-60 and 18-25 in the second half. Whitecaps reliever Angel Reyes (4-2) secures his fourth win, allowing two unearned runs in the top of the tenth, while Cubs closer Yovanny Cruz (0-1) suffers his first loss, allowing three runs through 1.2 innings. The Whitecaps have won 15 of their last 17 games and sit 1.5 games ahead of the Dayton Dragons and Fort Wayne TinCaps in first place in the Midwest League East division standings. The Whitecaps enjoyed their largest crowd of the season, with 8,319 fans witnessing the walk-off win.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps move this six-game series against the South Bend Cubs at LMCU Ballpark to Thursday at 6:35 pm. Pitcher Garrett Burhenn gets the start for West Michigan against the Cubs Grant Kipp. 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.