LANSING, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps got behind early, rallied but couldn't hold their lead as part of an 8-6 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts Wednesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.The loss marks the third straight for West Michigan in a game in which they led 3-2 before
LANSING, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps got behind early, rallied but couldn't hold their lead as part of an 8-6 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts Wednesday night at Cooley Law School Stadium.
The loss marks the third straight for West Michigan in a game in which they led 3-2 before Lansing scored four fifth-inning runs highlighted by 'Caps pitchers hitting three Lugnuts batters.
The Whitecaps got in an early hole after a run-scoring double by Griffin Conine helped give the Lugnuts a 2-0 lead. With the 'Caps trailing 2-1 in the fourth, Cooper Johnson ripped an RBI-double to tie the game before Zach Malis gave West Michigan the lead with a run-scoring single to bring the score to 3-2. Conine struck again in the fifth by delivering a two-run double to reclaim the Lugnuts lead at 4-3. Later in the frame, relief pitcher Michael Bienlien hit three different batters with a pitch to help Lansing extend their lead to 6-3. Jack Kenley singled home a run in the sixth, but Lansing plated two more in the seventh on a two-run triple by Ryan Gold. A two-run single by Andre Lipcius gave the 'Caps hope in the ninth, bringing the potential go-ahead run to the plate, but Danny Reyes fouled out to end the contest and ensure an 8-6 Lugnuts victory.
Lansing starter Sean Wymer (8-11) earned his eighth win of the season with five innings and giving up three runs, while 'Caps pitcher Carson Lance (0-3) allowed just five runs in four innings in suffering his third loss in 2019. West Michigan slips to 46-88 overall in 2019 and 25-40 in the Midwest League's second-half standings. Lansing improved to 65-69 and 33-32 in the back half of the 2019 season.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this season-ending six-game road trip against the Lansing Lugnuts Thursday at 7:05 pm. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55 pm. Brad Bass makes the start for West Michigan against Lansing righty Fitz Stadler. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2020 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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