Whitecaps tip Lugnuts, 1-0

COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. - Drew Longley delivered an unearned run with an RBI double in the second inning, and the West Michigan Whitecaps (37-17) edged the Lansing Lugnuts (29-23), 1-0, on Friday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.

Greg Soto (Win, 5-1) tossed seven innings of five-hit ball, combining with two relievers on the Whitecaps' 13th shutout of the year. Former Dutch honkballer Tom de Blok pitched a scoreless eighth for the Whitecaps, and Jason Foley (Save, 5) struck out two in a perfect ninth.

It was only the third time that the Lugnuts had been held without a run.

The game's only rally saw Anthony Pereira single off Lugnuts starter Patrick Murphy (Loss, 3-2). Two batters later, Pereira took third on by a fielding error by shortstop Bo Bichette , failing to glove an Austin Athmann chopper. Longley followed with a bouncer down the third-base line, bringing in Pereira.

Murphy pitched well to keep the Whitecaps at only one run, allowing nine hits and one walk in six innings with six huge strikeouts.

Griffin Glaude stranded the bases loaded in the seventh, and Nick Hartman left a runner on in the eighth, adding up to 13 Whitecaps left on base.

On the other side, though, the Lugnuts managed only five singles: two by Andres Sotillo , and one apiece from Bo Bichette, Bradley Jones and Edward Olivares .

The second game of the three-game series is at 7 p.m. Saturday, with Lugnuts right-hander Osman Gutierrez (0-3, 13.50) against Whitecaps right-hander Spenser Watkins (2-1, 1.57).

The Lansing Lugnuts return to Cooley Law School Stadium for a three-game homestand spanning June 6-8. Tickets may be purchased at the stadium box office, by calling (517) 485-4500 or via lansinglugnuts.com.
# # #