Whitecaps' comeback falls one run short

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps nearly overcame a 4-0 deficit on Sunday afternoon, but the early hole and nine men left on base were too much to overcome in a 4-3 loss to the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Ballpark.

West Michigan (41-28, 82-57) stranded six of those runners in scoring position, including at least one in every inning between the third and the seventh. It was a much-needed win for Great Lakes (31-37, 65-73), who kept their playoff hopes alive heading into Monday afternoon's 1:00 p.m. regular season finale.

Trailing 4-0 by the middle of the fourth inning, the Whitecaps faced a tall task to come back against one of the strongest bullpens in the Midwest League.

The effort began with three consecutive two-out singles in the bottom of the fourth, including run-scoring hits from Dominic Ficociello and Domingo Leyba to cut the deficit to 4-2.

West Michigan was unable to capitalize on leadoff knocks in the fifth and sixth before scratching across another run against Matt Campbell in the seventh. Doubles by Wynton Bernard and Mike Gerber pulled the 'Caps within 4-3 but, after a walk and a hit batsman loaded the bases, Ficociello struck out swinging to end the threat.

That turned out to be the first of seven consecutive batters retired by the Great Lakes bullpen to end the game. Jacob Rhame (9) took over in the eighth and slammed the door shut with two perfect frames for the save.

Kyle Hooper (1-0) earned the win with 1.1 scoreless innings after taking over for starter John Richy, who left the game in the fifth inning just one out short of qualifying for the victory.

Jon Maciel (6-8) suffered the loss, surrendering four runs - three earned - on 10 hits over six innings of work. The righty, who took the mound a day early after scheduled starter Matt Davenport was scratched due to illness, struck out four and induced a pair of groundball double plays in a quality start.

Gerber and Rhymes each had two hits on Sunday while Leyba extended his batting streak to 12 games, notching the third-longest hitting streak by a Whitecap this season despite arriving in West Michigan less than a month ago. Gerber has now hit safely in all seven of his games since being promoted to the Midwest League last week.

The Whitecaps play their final game of the regular season on Monday at 1:00 p.m. against the Great Lakes Loons at Fifth Third Ballpark. RHP Matt Davenport (5-6, 2.99) is scheduled to pitch for West Michigan against RHP Scott Barlow (6-7, 4.46) of Great Lakes as the Whitecaps offer $1 Johnsonville Brats and half-price box and reserved seats for those bringing a church or community bulletin to the box office. The Whitecaps are also guaranteed at least one home playoff game on Thursday, September 4. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.

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