COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps tamed a red-hot Fort Wayne TinCaps team in winning both games of a morning doubleheader by scores of 1-0 and 8-1 Tuesday at Fifth Third Ballpark.Tweet from @wmwhitecaps: Don't miss this: @colepeterson19 makes one of the most amazing catches you will ever
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps tamed a red-hot Fort Wayne TinCaps team in winning both games of a morning doubleheader by scores of 1-0 and 8-1 Tuesday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The Whitecaps took game one with a walk-off, bases-loaded balk in the bottom of the seventh inning committed by TinCaps reliever Ben Sheckler. The unusual ending supported an excellent performance by Whitecaps right-hander Matt Manning. Manning struck out nine and allowed only three hits in six innings of his start. Max Green (1-2) came on in relief and picked up his first win of the season over a TinCaps team who entered the day with a season-best five game winning streak. Sheckler (0-2) the Sparta, MI native, took the loss for the TinCaps.
In game two, the 'Caps bats came alive against Fort Wayne Starter Luis Pitiño and struck for four runs in both the second and fourth innings. A double off the bat of Cesar Gonzalez brought home two runs and highlighted the five-hit second. Whitecaps starter Burris Warner dominated the TinCaps, giving up only one baserunner through the first four innings. The 4-0 lead extended to 8-0 in the fourth as four consecutive 'Caps hits signaled the end of the day for Pitiño. Rivera knocked in two runs in the inning with a single, and both Cole Peterson and Brady Policelli contributed RBI's. After Warner finished his longest professional start with 4.2 innings of one-run pitching, Will Vest (1-0) entered the fifth inning and allowed only one hit in his first appearance as a Whitecap to take the victory. Pitiño (1-1) absorbed the loss.
With the two wins, West Michigan improved to 25-19 and extended their season-best winning streak to five games. The Whitecaps have yet to take a loss through five games of a seven-game homestand. Fort Wayne slipped to 20-24 in 2018 with the doubleheader losses, and the 'Caps broke Fort Wayne's five-game winning streak. The 'Caps have won six of their last eight games.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this series against the Fort Wayne TinCaps Wednesday at 11:00 am. Pitcher Elvin Rodriguez gets the start for the Whitecaps. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 10:50 am. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
