'CAPS MAKE MORE HISTORY WITH PERFECT ROAD TRIP
After setting a new franchise mark with 21 runs in a game on Sunday, West Michigan (23-24, 49-67) won a franchise-record 10th consecutive road game on Friday thanks to a third straight road sweep. The victory also completed the longest undefeated road trip in franchise history at a perfect 7-0. The Whitecaps have won nine straight games overall, the longest winning streak since 1999 when a franchise-best 12-game streak was established.
Keeping the streak alive was not easy, as a scrappy Bowling Green (20-27, 51-65) team nearly pulled off an improbable comeback in the bottom of the ninth. After throwing a combined three-hitter in Thursday's win, the 'Caps pitching staff carried a three-hit shutout and a 4-0 lead into the final frame on Friday.
Reliever Richard Zumaya had already thrown 1.2 innings of relief when Ty Morrison doubled against him to lead off the inning. Following a walk to Cody Rogers, Brett Nommensen added a double to right that scored Morrison and left runners at second and third with nobody out.
With closer Kenny Faulk having notched saves on the previous two nights, West Michigan manager Joe DePastino called on Jordan Pratt to get out of the jam. Pratt induced a pair of groundouts that left Bowling Green trailing 4-2 with a runner at third and two away. A walk to Julio Cedeno put the potential game-tying run on base for Kyle Spraker, who worked the count full before smacking a hot smash to the right side of the infield.
But second baseman Jimmy Gulliver was up to the task, snagging the one-hopper, spinning around, and firing to first for the final out.
Pratt (3) earned the save, while starter Patrick Cooper (1-0) was rewarded for a strong outing with his first Midwest League win. The 20-year-old right-hander tossed 6.2 scoreless frames and gave up just two hits.
The Whitecaps reached the scoreboard in the top of the second inning, scoring first for the seventh time in their last nine ballgames. It started with a leadoff single by Wade Gaynor, who promptly stole second base to reach scoring position. Tony Plagman followed with a base hit up the middle that scored Gaynor for the early 1-0 lead.
West Michigan doubled the advantage with a run in the fifth, sparked by a leadoff error that allowed Alexis Espinoza to reach base. Espinoza went first-to-third on a hit-and-run single by Hernan Perez on the very next pitch, and it was just two pitches later that he raced home to score when Gulliver bounced into a double play. Despite an inning in which Hot Rods' reliever Tyree Hayes threw just six pitches - all for strikes - the 'Caps were able to push the edge to 2-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, Bowling Green mounted a serious threat as a walk, single and sacrifice bunt gave the Hot Rods men at second and third with one out. Cooper responded by striking out Robi Estrada swinging before inducing an inning-ending grounder from Tomas Francisco, wiggling out of the jam and preserving the shutout.
West Michigan padded the lead with single runs in the seventh and eighth innings. After Perez doubled home Espinoza with a liner down the left field line in the seventh, a two-base hit from Avisail Garcia in the eighth plated Jamie Johnson to provide a 4-0 cushion.
The Whitecaps return to Fifth Third Ballpark on Saturday, August 14, to start a seven-day homestand with a 7:00 p.m. first pitch against the South Bend Silver Hawks. RHP Trevor Feeney (9-11, 3.30) is scheduled to take the hill for West Michigan against RHP Adam Worthington (3-4, 4.81) of the Silver Hawks. The first 1,000 kids ages 14-and-under will receive capes on Superhero Night presented by Charter Communications, and the evening will culminate with a tremendous fireworks display thanks to Farm Bureau Insurance. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.