Lewicki leads Whitecaps to 7-2 win
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Artie Lewicki's career-best performance helped the Whitecaps inch closer to a playoff spot with a 7-2 win over the South Bend Cubs Tuesday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Francisco Contreras jump-started the offense with a two-run triple in the third inning, and scored on a squeeze-bunt by David Gonzalez to give West Michigan a 3-0 lead. Meanwhile, Lewicki was excellcent in cruising through the first four innings facing the minimum amount of South Bend hitters. The Cubs inched within a run on Rashad Crawford's two-run single in the fifth to bring the score to 3-2, but would come no closer. The former Virginia Cavalier set a career-high with seven innings pitched, and personal-best nine strikeouts. Mike Gerber knocked a two-run triple of his own in the eighth, and Joey Pankake capped the scoring with an RBI-double to give the 'Caps a 7-2 lead.
Lewicki (3-3) earned his third win for his dominant start, while Trevor Clifton (6-10) took his tenth loss for South Bend, having allowed three runs in five innings. Johan Belisario tossed a pair of scoreless innings to pick up his 12th save of the season. The Whitecaps improve to 34-23 in the second half and 67-59 overall. South Bend's second half mark falls to 29-28, with a 58-66 record on the year. Pankake and A.J. Simcox led the Whitecaps with three hits each in the contest. West Michigan's lead over South Bend improves to five games in the race for the Eastern Division wildcard, and their magic number stands at nine with thirteen games left to play.
GERBER MAKES HISTORY
With his triple in the eighth, outfielder Mike Gerber has accomplished a feat no Whitecap has achieved in nine seasons. The 23-year old has now recorded double-digit doubles (27), triples (10), home runs (11), and stolen bases (16) this season. The last "Caps player to record the milestone was infielder Mike Hollimon in 2006.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps conclude this series against the Cubs Wednesday night at 7pm. Spencer Turnbull gets the starting nod for West Michigan against Tommy Thorpe for South Bend. If you can't make it to the ballpark, broadcast coverage begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50pm. A reminder that season, group and individual tickets can be reserved for any 2015 home game by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.