12-Run Third Propels ‘Caps, 20-1
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps scored more runs in a single inning than any team in Minor League Baseball has this season by playing 12 runs in the third as part of a 20-1 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Monday night in front of a sellout crowd
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps scored more runs in a single inning than any team in Minor League Baseball has this season by playing 12 runs in the third as part of a 20-1 victory over the Dayton Dragons on Monday night in front of a sellout crowd of 8,034 fans at Day Air Ballpark.
The individual inning and overall run total fell just one run short of tying franchise records, while the third watched the ‘Caps score 12 times by drawing eight walks and collecting five base hits against three different Dragons pitchers. The win puts West Michigan at 38-38 on the season and 7-3 in the second half – good enough for first place through the first ten games. The ‘Caps are back to the .500 mark for the first time since they stood with a 7-7 record through the first 14 games of the season on April 23.
Patience was the key to the massive third inning, as eight of the first 11 hitters walked – five of which came against Dayton starting pitcher Joe Boyle, who entered the contest leading the Midwest League with a 0.65 ERA. Josh Crouch, Corey Joyce, and Trei Cruz all drew bases-loaded walks, while Jake Holton had a single and double with three RBI in the frame itself. Bryant Packard enjoyed a sacrifice fly and run-scoring single in the frame as well, which became the biggest scoring output in a single frame by any team in Minor League Baseball this season. West Michigan plated seven more runs in the remaining stanzas, highlighted by two-run singles from Josh Crouch and Trei Cruz, to give the ‘Caps their second-biggest inning in team history. Only a 13-run first on July 5, 2009, at home against Dayton watched the Whitecaps score more runs than they did in the third inning on Monday night.
Lefty Brant Hurter (1-0) collected a memorable first victory as a Whitecap, tossing five innings of one-run ball and striking out four, while Boyle (3-2) was dealt his second loss of the year. The Midwest League ERA leader allowed seven runs in 2.1 frames while walking six batters on just one hit. The Whitecaps improve to 38-38 with a first-place 7-3 second-half record, while the Dragons fall to 43-33 and a 4-6 second-half mark. Among the many standouts from the victory, Austin Murr reached base safely in all six plate appearances, while Holton extended his hitting streak to 11 games. Three players enjoyed a three-RBI performance, while the win set season records in runs scored, runs in a single inning, the most significant margin of victory, most walks, and most RBI in a single contest.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps enjoy a Tuesday off-day before continuing this six-game series against the Dayton Dragons at Day Air Ballpark on Wednesday at 7:05 pm. Righty Carlos Guzman gets the start for West Michigan against Dayton pitcher Miguel Medrano. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.