Smith Strikes Out Seven in Defeat
Detroit Tigers Top-10 prospect Dylan Smith struck out a career-high seven batters in just four innings, but the offense struggled to find its rhythm in a 1-0 loss to the Dayton Dragons Thursday night at Day Air Ballpark. The Whitecaps losing streak extends to four games and brings West Michigan’s
Detroit Tigers Top-10 prospect Dylan Smith struck out a career-high seven batters in just four innings, but the offense struggled to find its rhythm in a 1-0 loss to the Dayton Dragons Thursday night at Day Air Ballpark.
The Whitecaps losing streak extends to four games and brings West Michigan’s record to an even 6-6. Thursday marked the second time in the last three games in which the Dragons carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning or later.
The early scoring in the contest came when Jose Torres, who blasted a pair of homers on Wednesday, launched his third in three games with a solo home run in the third. Aside from Torres, the story was incredible pitching on both sides, as Smith set a new personal best with seven punchouts without walking a batter. In the sixth, the Dragons blew the game open with three more runs, highlighted by a two-run single from Garrett Wolforth to extend Dayton’s lead to 4-0. The Dragons pitching staff held the Whitecaps hitless for the first seven innings before catcher Jon Rosoff broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff double in the eighth and scored on a single by Trei Cruz. Jake Holton followed with a run-scoring double, and the ‘Caps brought the potential tying run to the plate but were unable to complete the comeback as part of their fourth straight loss.
Dayton improves to 9-3 with the win, while the Whitecaps fall to 6-6. Evan Kravetz (1-0) tossed five no-hit frames in picking up his first win, while Smith (1-1) took his first loss after allowing just a single run in four innings. Dragons reliever Jake Gozzo finished the contest by collecting his second save. Cruz reached base twice in a losing cause for the Whitecaps.
UP NEXT
This six-game series continues Friday night from Day Air Ballpark at 7:05 pm. West Michigan sends Ty Madden, one of the Detroit Tigers Top-10 prospects, to the mound against the Dragons Connor Phillips. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.