DÉJÀ VU: 'CAPS FALL IN EXTRAS AGAIN
West Michigan (13-13, 45-50) was done in by defense again, committing four errors after the sixth inning for the second night in a row. Kane County (16-10, 44-51) overcame deficits in both the eighth and ninth innings before pushing across the game-winning run in the top of the 10th.
The Whitecaps were led by Ryan Hamme, who went 4-for-5 with two doubles and three RBI while batting third in the lineup following the promotion of All-Star catcher Rob Brantly earlier in the day. Orlando Calixte countered with the big night for the Cougars, going 4-for-5 with four driven in, including the game-tying RBI in the eighth and the go-ahead RBI in the 10th.
The Whitecaps jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the third inning thanks to a two-run double from Hamme and run-scoring singles by Nick Castellanos and Jason Krizan. The Cougars answered with one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh, but a key play at the plate during the seventh inning limited the damage and kept West Michigan in front, 4-3.
Hamme delivered another run-scoring double in the seventh to push the lead to 5-3, but Kane County continued to charge back into the game. Two walks and two errors helped the Cougars load the bases with nobody out in the top of the eighth. West Michigan reliever Nathan Newman responded with consecutive strikeouts, but Calixte came through with a two-run single to left-center that tied the contest at 5-5.
Steven Moya helped the 'Caps recapture the lead in the bottom of the eighth. With James Robbins at third and one away, Moya battled to a full count and eventually lifted the 11th pitch of the at-bat to deep right field for a sacrifice fly and a 6-5 advantage.
In the ninth, Bruce Rondon was on the verge of adding to his league-leading saves total with two outs and a runner at first. Angel Franco lifted a flare-single to left-center that advanced baserunner Julio Aparicio from first to third. Left fielder Jason Krizan picked up the ball and fired towards third, but the ball sailed away and the runner came home for the game-tying unearned run.
Heading to extra innings once again, Jovan Pickett came up for his first plate appearance of the night in the 10th inning after entering as a defensive replacement in the bottom of the eighth. He reached base on a bunt-single with one out and promptly advanced to third on a hit by Jake Kuebler. After a pitching change brought in Melvin Mercedes to replace Rondon, Calixte delivered his final blow of the night with a single into right field for a 7-6 advantage.
Chas Byrne (3-1) earned the win with three innings of relief for the Cougars, allowing one unearned run on one hit. The loss went to Rondon (2-2), who was charged with one run on three hits in one inning of work.
The Whitecaps continue their homestand at Fifth Third Ballpark with the finale of a three-game series against the Kane County Cougars on Friday night at 7:00 p.m. LHP Alex Burgos (4-1, 2.14) is scheduled to take the mound for West Michigan against RHP Jason Adam (3-5, 4.70) for Kane County. Former Tiger Richie Hebner will be on hand as part of the Tiger Friday series and the first 1,000 fans in the ballpark will receive a bobblehead doll featuring "The Grave Digger." After the game, fans will be invited down to the field to take a swing and win a prize during the popular "Field of Dreams" promotion. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting whitecapsbaseball.com.