Whitecaps Overpower Hot Rods
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - West Michigan outfielder Derek Hill enjoyed a career high four hits and paced the 'Caps offense in a 10-7 win over the Bowling Green Hot Rods in front of 5,676 at Fifth Third Ballpark on Wednesday night.
Both teams opened up the scoring in their first inning. Kewby Meyer singled home a run for the Hot Rods, and Will Allen responded with a run scoring single for the 'Caps. After both teams again traded runs in the third inning, Bowling Green opened up the game with three runs in the fourth inning off Whitecaps starter Spenser Watkins. Watkins made his first start since April 14 and surrendered five earned runs and nine hits in his five innings of work. Hot Rods starter Jose Mujica enjoyed a 5-2 lead before a two out solo home run by the 'Caps Leo Laffita in the fourth inning closed the Hot Rods lead to 5-3. The ensuing pitch to Whitecaps catcher Franklin Navarro sailed completely behind Navarro and earned Mujica an immediate ejection. Bowling Green Hot Rod manager Reinaldo Ruiz argued briefly and earned an ejection of his own.
A two RBI double by Jose Azocar paced a three run West Michigan fifth inning, In the eighth inning, Azocar again drove in a run with a single and Navarro added an RBI double as part of a three run seventh to seal the victory. Azocar enjoyed a three-RBI night and Derek Hill's four hits included a double and two triples- a career high,and two RBI's in the 15 hit Whitecaps offensive attack. Toller Boardman (4-3) earned the victory in relief, tossing two innings and allowing one run. Armando Bastardo (0-2) gave up four runs in 2.1 innings of relief work for Bowling Green and took the loss. Whitecaps improve to 41-33 while the Hot Rods move to 39-37 with the defeat.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps conclude this four-game series against the Bowling Green Hot Rods Thursday at 7:00p.m. Eudis Idrogo makes the start for the Whitecaps against fellow Hot Rods southpaw Michael Velasquez. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Steve Lloyd-Jones begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50p.m. Tickets can be reserved for Thursday's game, or any 2016 home game by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.