'Caps spoil Ravel's gem, sweep Lugnuts

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - Andy Ravel pitched into the eighth inning, but the West Michigan Whitecaps (4-0, 49-22) broke a 2-2 tie with three eighth-inning runs, sweeping the Lansing Lugnuts (0-4, 37-33), 5-2, on Sunday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark.

The Whitecaps won six straight games against the Lugnuts sandwiching the All-Star Break: two to end the first half and four to start the second half.

In the top of the eighth inning, J.B. Woodman drew a two-out bases-loaded walk from John Schreiber(Blown Save, 2), tying the game at 2-2.

Ravel entered the bottom of the eighth inning at 75 pitches, having allowed only a first-inning Josh Lester solo home run and a seventh-inning Drew Longley windblown RBI double. But three of the first four Whitecaps hit safely to open the frame, loading the bases with one out.

Lugnuts manager Cesar Martin, skippering his 600th career game, turned to reliever Dan Lietz to escape the threat. Lester sent a weak grounder to first base, where Christian Williams stepped on his bag before throwing home late as Chad Sedio scored the tie-breaking run. Austin Athmann followed with a two-run single to add insurance.

Schreiber (Win, 3-1) set the Lugnuts down quietly in the ninth.

Ravel (Loss, 4-2) finished with a professional high 7 1/3 innings pitched, charged with nine hits and five runs, walking none while striking out two.

The Lugnuts' top three batters, Rodrigo Orozco , Edward Olivares and Bo Bichette , each notched two hits. Olivares belted his team-leading 11th home run of the first inning, and Bichette's 2-for-4 performance raised his league-leading average to .394.

The Lansing Lugnuts return home for a Dog Days of Summer at 7:05 p.m. Monday, June 26th, beginning a four-game homestand against the Bowling Green Hot Rods. Right-hander Mike Ellenbest (3-5, 7.67) takes on Hot Rods right-hander Chris Pike (0-2, 4.50). Tickets may be purchased at the Cooley Law School Stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
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