'Caps Offense Awakens in 7-3 Win
FORT WAYNE, IN - The West Michigan Whitecaps used a 15-hit attack to beat the Fort Wayne TinCaps by a score of 7-3 Sunday at Parkview Field.
Both teams traded runs in the second inning. Cam Gibson got the offense started with an RBI-double before Franklin Navarro plated Gibson with a single. Peter Van Gansen delivered an RBI-single in the bottom of the frame to knot the game at two. Jose Azocar's two-run triple an inning later helped West Michigan reclaim a 4-2 lead. In the fifth, Austin Allen lifted a sacrifice fly to cut the 'Caps lead to 4-3. The Whitecaps added some much-needed insurance in the eighth on Leo Laffita's run-scoring single to score Franklin Navarro and take a 5-3 lead. In the bottom of the frame, Mark Ecker loaded the bases but escaped trouble by striking out Kodie Tidwell to end the threat. An inning later, Brett Pirtle sent two runners home with a single into center field to give the 'Caps a 7-3 advantage.
Eudis Idrogo (5-5) tossed five innings in his start to earn his fifth win of the year, while Emmanuel Ramirez (2-2) allowed four runs in six innings in suffering his second loss of 2016. Ecker's two scoreless innings earned him his fourth save of the season. The Whitecaps record jumps to 67-61 overall and 28-33 in the second half. The TinCaps fall to 60-73 overall, and 24-39 in the second half standings. Franklin Navarro led the Whitecaps offense with a three-hit performance with a double, run scored and an RBI in the win. The 'Caps are 3-4 on their eight-game roadtrip entering Monday night's series finale. West Michigan's seven runs in their Sunday victory equals the amount the team had scored in their last three games combined.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps conclude their eight-game roadtrip by wrapping up a four-game series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps Monday at 7:05p.m. Sandy Baez gets the start for the 'Caps against TinCaps lefty Logan Allen. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55p.m. There are only three more Whitecaps regular season home games at Fifth Third Ballpark in 2016. Tickets can be reserved or any of the remaining 2016 home contests by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.