‘Caps Fall to Dragons, 6-2
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Detroit Tigers pitcher Alex Cobb made his third rehab appearance with the West Michigan Whitecaps, allowing one run through two innings pitched, but the bats fell silent as part of a 6-2 loss to the Dayton Dragons in front of 6,442 fans Tuesday night at LMCU
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Detroit Tigers pitcher Alex Cobb made his third rehab appearance with the West Michigan Whitecaps, allowing one run through two innings pitched, but the bats fell silent as part of a 6-2 loss to the Dayton Dragons in front of 6,442 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Despite allowing a solo homer, Cobb posted four strikeouts through two innings of work, including three straight punchouts to conclude his second inning of work. West Michigan fell flat offensively, however, finishing 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position while striking out 12 times in the loss.
The Dragons jumped in front with a pair of runs in the second and third innings as outfielder Anthony Stephan blasted a solo homer over the right field wall before catcher Ryan McCrystal crossed the plate on an RBI groundout from Carlos Jorge, grabbing the 2-0 lead. The Whitecaps broke through on a sacrifice fly from designated hitter Brett Callahan in the fourth inning, trimming Dayton’s edge to 2-1. The Dragons then exploded for four runs through the fifth and sixth frames – highlighted by a two-run double from McCrystal – making it 6-1. Callahan helped the ‘Caps again in the eighth inning with a solo home run to center field, trimming the Dragons lead to 6-2. West Michigan couldn’t complete the rally in the ninth, as Dragons closer Irvin Machuca retired the side to complete the 6-2 victory.
The Whitecaps fall to 20-11 in the second half and 64-32 overall, while the Dragons improve to 10-18 in the second half and 31-62 overall. Cobb (0-2) suffers his second loss while Dragons reliever Brody Jessee (1-1) secures his first win, tossing two scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Callahan’s home run marks his first long ball with the ‘Caps since April 22, when he added a solo home run in a 10-0 shutout of the Dragons in Dayton, Ohio.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Dragons continue six-game series from LMCU Ballpark with a Wednesday afternoon ballgame beginning at 12:05 pm. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 11:50 am on 106.1 FM ‘The Ticket’, and 1340 WJRW-AM in Grand Rapids. Catch all the action on the radio or listen to the game live at whitecapsbaseball.com.
PLAYOFF PLANS
The ‘Caps will host a playoff game the second week of September, scheduled for Thursday, the 11th at 6:35 pm against the second-half Midwest League Eastern Division champion. Individual tickets will go on sale July 8 at 10:00 am on whitecapsbaseball.com.