COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Garrett Hill shined on the mound for the West Michigan Whitecaps as they downed the Dayton Dragons 4-3 Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Hill enjoyed the longest start of the 2021 season allowing just one run through 6.1 innings pitched while striking out six Dragons hitters in his third victory.
Both teams struck for a run in the third inning as Garrett Wolforth pounded an RBI-double before Wenceel Perez lifted a sacrifice fly to tie the game at 1-1. Daniel Cabrera roped a triple to right field in the sixth inning, scoring Perez from first base and putting the ‘Caps in front 2-1. Jimmy Kerr added two critical insurance runs in the seventh frame with his second High-A home run, 4-1. In the eighth, Victor Ruiz responded with a two-run homer of his own, but it was too late as Zack Hess set the Dragons down to secure the Whitecap winner, highlighted by a diving catch to rob Jacob Hurtubise of a two-out base hit to end the ballgame.
Hill secured his third win as Zack Hess picked up his ninth save on the campaign, punching one Dragon in a scoreless ninth inning. Dragons starter Eduardo Salazar (2-5) allowed a pair of runs through six innings of work in his fifth defeat of the year. The Whitecaps improve to 37-41 as the Dragons fall to 41-37. Kerr was the only ‘Cap to finish with multiple hits, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs. Cabrera’s hitting streak increased to eight games with his triple in the sixth, while Kerr’s performance extended his to seven.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this seven-game series from LMCU Ballpark against the Dayton Dragons on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. West Michigan sends pitcher Brendan White, looking for his first win since July 1, to the mound against Dragons right-hander J.C. Keys. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2021 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
