COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps failed to get critical outs late in the first game of a doubleheader, falling to the Fort Wayne TinCaps 7-4 before a power display and dominant pitching earned them a 6-1 victory and a split in front of 8,126 fans Thursday night
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps failed to get critical outs late in the first game of a doubleheader, falling to the Fort Wayne TinCaps 7-4 before a power display and dominant pitching earned them a 6-1 victory and a split in front of 8,126 fans Thursday night at LMCU Ballpark
For the second time in the series, Fort Wayne struck for three runs in the ninth inning, as TinCaps pitchers compiled ten strikeouts to earn the victory in game one. In the second game, the Whitecaps collected three home runs while holding Fort Wayne to an 0-for-10 mark with runners in scoring position to secure the split.
LISTEN: ALFONZO POWERS ‘CAPS TO 6-1 WIN
The TinCaps scored first in game one, as Colton Bender lifted a sacrifice fly before ‘Caps catcher Josh Crouch added an RBI single in the bottom half, knotting the game at 1-1. The TinCaps struck again in the fifth as Jakob Marsee lifted a sacrifice fly before Carlos Luis followed suit in the sixth as a fielding error allowed two runs to score, extending their lead to 4-1. The ‘Caps inched their way back in the fifth and sixth frames, as Crouch and Austin Murr added individual RBI before Gage Workman collected an RBI single in the seventh, tying the game at 4-4. The TinCaps exploded for three runs in the ninth inning as Graham Pauley collected a three-run homer before closer Ethan Routzahn slammed the door with a scoreless ninth to earn the win.
In the second game, the Whitecaps grabbed the lead in the second inning as Roberto Campos added an RBI single to put West Michigan up 1-0. The ‘Caps then plated four runs in the bottom of the third inning – highlighted by back-to-back home runs for Eliezer Alfonzo and Gage Workman – extending their lead to 5-0. Meanwhile, Whitecaps starter Troy Melton allowed just one run through four innings with three strikeouts to maintain the 5-0 advantage. Fort Wayne added their lone run in the fifth as Graham Pauley lifted a sacrifice fly before Andre Lipcius delivered the exclamation point, collecting the third home run of the game for the ‘Caps as they cruised to the 6-1 victory.
The Whitecaps improve to 44-48 overall and 12-15 in the second half, while the TinCaps fall to 48-45 and 16-11 in the second half. In the first game, TinCaps reliever Ethan Routzahn (2-1) earned his second win, allowing one run through three innings, as ‘Caps reliever Dario Gardea (1-3) suffered his third loss, surrendering three runs through 1.2 innings of work. In the second game, ‘Caps reliever Cristhain Tortosa (3-4) secured his third win, tossing a scoreless inning with a strikeout as Fort Wayne starter Edwin Bencomo (1-1) suffered his first loss, giving up five runs through four innings. The Whitecaps struck for back-to-back home runs for the first time since Jace Jung and Danny Serretti did so in an 8-6 victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on June 9. Meanwhile, the ‘Caps came just one home run shy of tying their single-game high this season.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps from LMCU Ballpark Friday night at 6:35 pm. Pitchers Williander Moreno and Austin Krob get the starts for the Whitecaps and TinCaps. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.