Great Defense Makes 'Caps a Winner
COMSTOCK PARK, MI -The West Michigan Whitecaps had their defense in top form as they beat the Peoria Chiefs 6-4 in front of 7,976 fans Thursday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.
For the second straight night, the Whitecaps used early offense to take a 6-0 lead. Run-scoring singles by Franklin Navarro and Derek Hill got West Michigan on the scoreboard in the second with a 2-0 edge. An inning later, Will Allen laced an RBI-double into the right field corner, Jose Azocar plated a run with a triple while Navarro and Brett Pirtle chipped in with RBI-singles to open up a 6-0 lead after three innings.
Meanwhile, West Michigan's already-outstanding defense was putting on a clinic throughout the night. In the first, David Gonzalez made an outstanding catch to save a pair of Peoria runs when the All-Star infielder ran all the way from his second-base position into left-center field to make a sprawling catch. Gonzalez continued his great glove-work in the second when a one-hop groundball glanced off first baseman Will Maddox's glove and caromed to the 22-year old, who flipped to pitcher Eudis Idrogo covering first to get the out. As the game progressed, Peoria chipped away at the 'Caps six-run lead, cutting the lead to 6-3 after six innings. After the Chiefs put their first two hitters and first and third base to start the seventh, Edmundo Sosa laced a groundball up-the-middle that was stopped by a diving Leo Laffita at shortstop, who shoveled the baseball to Gonzalez with his glove to start a huge double play. A run scored to bring the score to 6-4, but the Chiefs best chance at a rally had been successfully thwarted.
Idrogo (3-3) allowed three runs in 5.2 innings to record his third win, while Juan Perez (3-3) suffered his third defeat after giving up all six Whitecaps runs in three frames. Ryan Milton retired the final four Chiefs batters to record his second save. Brett Pirtle went 3-for-4 led the Whitecaps with a run scored and an RBI in the victory.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game homestand facing the Peoria Chiefs for a Tiger Friday at 7:00p.m. featuring former All-Star Frank Tanana. Pitcher Beau Burrows gets the start for West Michigan, while the Chiefs send righty Derian Gonzalez. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50p.m. Tickets can be reserved for Friday's game, or any 2016 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.