COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn’t take advantage of dominant pitching as they fell to the South Bend Cubs 2-1 in extra innings Tuesday night in front of 4,754 fans at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan pitching compiled 13 strikeouts while allowing just two runs through ten innings
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps couldn’t take advantage of dominant pitching as they fell to the South Bend Cubs 2-1 in extra innings Tuesday night in front of 4,754 fans at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan pitching compiled 13 strikeouts while allowing just two runs through ten innings and holding South Bend to a 2-for-8 mark with runners in scoring position. However, the offense managed just three hits through the final five innings while finishing 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the defeat.
The Whitecaps struck in the third inning as Jace Jung roped an RBI single to score Eduardo Valencia and push in front 1-0. Whitecaps starter Matt Walker silenced Dayton early, tossing 4.2 innings with four strikeouts before Pete Crow-Armstrong plated Kevin Made on a single to level the game at 1-1. The Cubs advanced runners into second in third base with no outs in the ninth inning before Whitecaps reliever Andrew Magno recorded three straight strikeouts to escape further trouble and maintain the 1-1 tie. South Bend broke the stalemate in the tenth, as Crow-Armstrong scored Fabian Pertuz on a single before closer Sheldon Reed retired the Whitecaps in the bottom half, securing the 2-1 extra-innings victory.
Cubs reliever Riley Martin (7-4) collects his seventh win going three scoreless innings with a strikeout as Reed notches his third save. Whitecaps reliever Tim Holdgrafer (0-1) suffers his first loss, allowing the game-winning run in the tenth inning. The Cubs improve to 65-50 and 31-18 in the second half, while the Whitecaps fall to 60-55 and 29-20 in the second half. The Whitecaps sit two games back of the Lake County Captains for first place in the Midwest League East second-half standings.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game set against the South Bend Cubs from LMCU Ballpark on Wednesday at 6:35 pm. Detroit Tigers top prospect Jackson Jobe makes his West Michigan debut against righty Porter Hodge. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.