Whitecaps Toss Sunday Shutout
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps scored just one run on Sunday afternoon, but great pitching made it stand in a 1-0 victory over the Fort Wayne TinCaps with 5,549 fans in attendance at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The Whitecaps sent pitcher Kyle Dowdy to the mound for his first start of the season after dominating in relief ever since his April 18 arrival. The right-hander did not disappoint, tossing four scoreless innings allowing just a pair of hits and striking out three. Jon Maciel followed with two scoreless frames to help send the game into the late stages with a scoreless tie. In the seventh, the 'Caps offense finally broke through with the only run of the contest when shortstop Leo Laffita lined a run-scoring double down the left field line to score Jose Azocar and give the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. In the ninth, Laffita committed a fielding error with one out, but atoned for his miscue by starting a game-ending 6-4-3 double play to give the 'Caps a 1-0 win, and victories in three out of four games in the series.
Whitecaps reliever Jake Shull (1-0) tossed two innings of scoreless relief to earn his first victory of 2016, while TinCaps starter Walker Lockett (1-3) suffered his third loss despite lasting seven innings allowing just one run on five hits. Gerson Moreno pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his fifth save of the season. The Whitecaps improve their record to 18-16, while the TinCaps fall to 19-18. David Gonzalez led the 'Caps with two hits in the contest.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue their seven-game homestand Tuesday as they welcome the Bowling Green Hot Rods to Fifth Third Ballpark for a "Dime Dog Night" contest beginning at 6:35p.m. where all hot dogs cost just ten cents! Pitcher Sandy Baez gets the start for West Michigan against Hot Rods right-hander Roel Ramirez. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Steve Lloyd-Jones begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:25p.m. Tickets can be reserved for Tuesday's game, or any 2016 home contest by calling the Whitecaps' front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.