LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps rode an outstanding pitching performance from right-hander Garrett Burhenn, and its bullpen held on in the late innings as part of a 5-2 win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Tuesday at Jackson Field.
Burhenn tossed five scoreless innings in his regularly scheduled appearance
LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps rode an outstanding pitching performance from right-hander Garrett Burhenn, and its bullpen held on in the late innings as part of a 5-2 win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Tuesday at Jackson Field.
Burhenn tossed five scoreless innings in his regularly scheduled appearance after former ‘Caps pitcher Wilmer Flores returned to the West Michigan roster as part of a Rehab Assignment, throwing two shutout frames of his own. Burhenn (5-6) struck out six batters and allowed just three to reach base in collecting his fifth win of the season. Tuesday’s win was made even more valuable by losses from the two teams closest to them in the Midwest League Eastern Division playoff race, as both the Lake County Captains and Fort Wayne TinCaps lost their respective ballgames earlier in the evening.
The Whitecaps and Lugnuts were held scoreless through the first three innings before the ‘Caps finally broke through in the fourth with an Izaac Pacheco sacrifice fly to give West Michigan a 1-0 lead. In the fifth, the ‘Caps took command of the contest with four more scores. A Gage Workman run-scoring single – part of a three-hit night for the ‘Caps shortstop – extended the West Michigan lead to 2-0 before a pitch with the bases loaded hit Luke Gold, and Pacheco floated a two-run single into left field, bringing the score to 5-0. In the eighth – after Burhenn left the contest, the ‘Caps brought in lefty Cristhian Tortosa, who retired just two of the six batters he faced and surrendered the two Lansing runs before needing to be pulled from the contest. Righty Williander Moreno got the final out of the eighth before walking the first two batters in the ninth. Reliever Trevin Michael entered and retired the only three hitters he faced, including a spectacular diving catch from outfielder Esney Chacon – who came on as a replacement after Gold was forced to leave the contest – to finish the ballgame.
The Whitecaps record jumps to 63-56 overall and 31-23 in the second half, while the Lugnuts fall to 56-64 and 25-30 in the second half. Lugnuts starting pitcher Jose Dicochea (0-3) gave up just one run in four good innings of work but suffered the tough-luck loss – his third of the season. Michael retired all three batters he faced with the winning run at the plate when he entered the game, giving him his third save of the season. Pacheco led the way with three RBI in the win, while Seth Stephenson reached base four times, including his first triple as a member of the Whitecaps in the victory.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game road series at Jackson Field against the Lansing Lugnuts on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Detroit Tigers Top Prospect Jackson Jobe gets the start on the mound for West Michigan against the Lugnuts James Gonzalez. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.