‘Caps Fall from First in Loss to Peoria
COMSTOCK PARK, MI — Despite bringing the tying run to the plate in each of the last three innings, the West Michigan Whitecaps managed just two base hits as they fell to the Peoria Chiefs 2-0 in front of 6,721 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. West Michigan couldn’t find
COMSTOCK PARK, MI — Despite bringing the tying run to the plate in each of the last three innings, the West Michigan Whitecaps managed just two base hits as they fell to the Peoria Chiefs 2-0 in front of 6,721 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
West Michigan couldn’t find a clutch hit when they needed one, finishing 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position while managing just two hits and 12 strikeouts in the shutout loss. Meanwhile, with a Great Lakes Loons win over the Lansing Lugnuts on Tuesday, the Whitecaps now sit with four straight losses, falling a half-game back of the Loons for first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division.
Peoria starting pitcher Cade Crossland had one of the best starts of his first professional season, giving up just one hit through 6.1 innings of work while striking out nine. Meanwhile, Whitecaps starting pitcher Rayner Castillo was solid through five scoreless innings, posting five strikeouts while stranding a pair of runners in scoring position to maintain the scoreless tie. Peoria finally broke through in the sixth as infielder Jalin Flores collected an RBI double before outfielder Caden Ferraro followed with an RBI single, giving the Chiefs a 2-0 lead. The Whitecaps put a runner in scoring position in each of the final four innings but couldn’t capitalize, as Chiefs relievers Bobby Olsen, Liam Best, and Nelfy Ynfante combined for 2.2 scoreless innings to slam the door and send the ‘Caps to their fourth-straight loss, 2-0.
The Whitecaps fall to 31-24 in the second half and 55-64 overall, while the Chiefs improve to 25-29 in the second half and 57-63 overall. Castillo (2-10) suffers his tenth loss, giving up two runs through 5.1 innings pitched while striking out six. Crossland (2-0) picks up his second win for the Chiefs, while Ynfante secures his second save with a scoreless ninth. The Whitecaps drop four straight games for the first time since July 25, when they lost four consecutive games on the road against the Peoria Chiefs.
UP NEXT
West Michigan takes on Peoria in the second game of this six-game series from LMCU Ballpark, Wednesday night at 6:35pm. Ben Jacobs gets the start for West Michigan against the Chiefs Zach Van Dyke. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm on ‘The Ticket West Michigan’ and 1340 WJRW-AM in Grand Rapids, and online at WhitecapsBaseball.com.