COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps showcased their hot-hitting offense, and Mike Rothenberg hit his first homer in High-A as part of a 6-3 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts 6-3 on Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps pounded out 11 hits – four of which were doubles,
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps showcased their hot-hitting offense, and Mike Rothenberg hit his first homer in High-A as part of a 6-3 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts 6-3 on Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps pounded out 11 hits – four of which were doubles, and now lead the Midwest League in two-baggers with 23. The next closest team, the Beloit Sky Carp, has only 11.
West Michigan took the lead in the third inning, highlighted by a Jake Holton RBI-double and an RBI-triple from Andrew Navigato, putting the ‘Caps in front 5-0. Lawrence Butler added the first Lansing run on an RBI-single in the fifth before Whitecaps catcher Mike Rothenberg blasted his first high-A home run (in his first multi-hit performance) to extend the lead to 6-1. Lansing added two more runs on a Brayan Buelvas two-run single, but it was too late as Gabe Sequeira slammed the door in the ninth to secure the 6-3 victory and his second save of the season.
‘Caps starter Carlos Guzman (1-0) picked up his first win of 2022, going five innings while allowing just one run on four strikeouts. Lugnuts starting pitcher Stevie Emanuels (1-1) suffered his first loss, allowing five earned runs through 3.2 innings. The Whitecaps improve to 5-2 as the Lugnuts fall to 2-5. Tigers no. 20 prospect Parker Meadows continues to terrorize Midwest League pitching, leading the league in runs scored (12) and extra-base hits (8) while tied for the lead in home runs (4) and doubles (4). The 22-year-old outfielder has scored at least one run in all seven of West Michigan’s games. With this win, the ‘Caps even the overall series record at 204-204 against the Lugnuts.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps finish with a pair of afternoon contests to conclude this series against the Lansing Lugnuts, beginning with a Saturday matinee at 2:00 pm. Lefty Jack O’Loughlin gets the start for West Michigan against former University of Michigan standout Jeff Criswell. Detroit Tigers Top-10 prospect Dylan Smith is also expected to pitch in relief. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 1:45 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.