COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Starting pitcher Carlos Pena wielded four scoreless innings as part of the West Michigan Whitecaps Midwest League-best 15th shutout of the season as part of a 5-0 shutout victory over the South Bend Cubs in front of a sellout crowd of 8,245 fans Sunday at LMCU
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Starting pitcher Carlos Pena wielded four scoreless innings as part of the West Michigan Whitecaps Midwest League-best 15th shutout of the season as part of a 5-0 shutout victory over the South Bend Cubs in front of a sellout crowd of 8,245 fans Sunday at LMCU Ballpark.
Pena extends his scoreless inning streak to ten as ‘Caps pitchers combined to hold the Cubs to just four base hits as part of their fifth win in this six-game series. Meanwhile, first baseman Austin Murr added his second homer of the week, while designated hitter Andrew Jenkins has reached base in each of his last ten plate appearances.
South Bend managed just one hit through the first three innings as West Michigan stranded the bases loaded in the second inning, keeping the game tied at zero. West Michigan jumped in front in the fourth as Esney Chacon lifted a sacrifice fly before Izaac Pacheco added a two-run single to take the 3-0 lead. The ‘Caps added an insurance run in the following frame as Gage Workman plated Luke Gold on a sacrifice fly, extending the lead to 4-0. South Bend threatened to score in the sixth inning, loading the bases with none out before Trevin Michael struck out Cubs top-5 prospect Kevin Alcantara to end the threat and maintain the 4-0 lead. Murr added his solo home run in the sixth inning as Connor Holden and Jack Anderson combined for three scoreless frames with a strikeout to earn the 5-0 shutout victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 60-52 overall and 28-19 in the second half, while the Cubs fall to 49-63 and 19-28 in the second half. Whitecaps reliever Angel Reyes (5-2) collects his fifth victory of the year, tossing 1.2 scoreless innings, while Cubs starter Michael Arias (0-4) suffers his fourth loss, allowing two runs through 3.1 innings pitched. The Whitecaps now sit 1.5 games ahead of the Fort Wayne TinCaps for first place in the Midwest League East Division. The Whitecaps now have 15 shutout victories this season, six more than the Great Lakes Loons, who are second with nine. With the win, the Whitecaps have matched their best overall record this season at eight games above .500.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps hit the road for the final time in the 2023 regular season as they embark on 12 straight games away from LMCU Ballpark beginning with a six-game series at Dozer Park to take on the Peoria Chiefs beginning Tuesday at 7:35 pm. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 7:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.