Stewart's walk-off kicks off 20th season in style
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps kicked off the franchise's 20th season with a bang on Thursday night, capping a dramatic 7-6 win over the Dayton Dragons with a walk-off single by Jake Stewart in the bottom of the 10th inning at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The game-winning hit sent an energetic crowd of 6,128 into a frenzy, further enhancing the celebratory atmosphere surrounding the season-long anniversary festivities.
Stewart's walk-off hit capped a tremendous night for the Stanford product, who reached base in all five of his trips to the plate. The Tigers' ninth-round pick in the 2012 draft went 3-for-3 with two walks and two RBI.
His biggest blow came in the 10th inning with runners at first and second and one out. Stewart took a 3-1 pitch and drilled it the other way, splitting the gap in right-center field as Jeff Holm crossed the plate to a mob of ecstatic teammates.
The walk-off victory rewarded lefty reliever Josh Turley (1-0) with the win after two scoreless innings of work in the ninth and 10th frames. Sean Lucas (0-1) took the loss for Dayton, recording just one out and yielding three hits in the final half-inning.
Stewart was not the only Whitecaps' player to have a big night. Devon Travis and Lance Durham each had two of West Michigan's 11 hits while catcher Adolfo Reina reached base three times. The offensive output was enough to overcome eight walks issued by five Whitecaps' pitchers.
The free passes allowed Dayton (0-1) to overcome two separate three-run deficits.
West Michigan (1-0) initially broke onto the scoreboard with three runs in the bottom of the third. The rally began with two singles and a bunt, leading to a sacrifice fly by Austin Schotts that pushed across the game's first run. Travis followed by splitting the gap in right-center with a run-scoring triple. He promptly crossed the plate on an infield hit by Danry Vasquez, giving the 'Caps a 3-0 lead.
West Michigan walked in two runs in the fourth inning before the Dragons' Junior Arias evened the score at 3-3 with a solo homer in the top of the sixth.
The 'Caps recaptured the lead shortly thereafter with another three-run outburst in the bottom of the inning. After a pair of walks to start the frame, Durham broke the tie with his second double of the night and Stewart grounded an RBI-single through the middle. When Mario Martinez bounced into a double play, Durham scored from third for a 6-3 advantage.
Dayton tied the game - and ultimately forced extra innings - with three runs in the eighth. The game-tying score was unearned after a throwing error by shortstop Jared Reaves, but a diving catch by Schotts to end the inning stopped the bleeding and saved a run to keep the contest even at 6-6.
The Whitecaps continue their season-opening seven-game homestand on Friday with an 11:00 a.m. first pitch against the Dayton Dragons at Fifth Third Ballpark. The early ballgame will be followed by a Tigers' watch party featuring Detroit's home-opener in the Pepsi Stadium Club. Group and individual tickets can be reserved by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Click here to view the box score.