‘Caps Walk-Off ‘Nuts in 10
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps erased a pair of two-run deficits as infielder Samuel Gil delivered a game-winning sacrifice fly in a 6-5, ten-inning, walk-off win over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 7,293 fans Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark. WATCH: SAMMY’S SAC FLY WINS IT IN
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps erased a pair of two-run deficits as infielder Samuel Gil delivered a game-winning sacrifice fly in a 6-5, ten-inning, walk-off win over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 7,293 fans Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
WATCH: SAMMY’S SAC FLY WINS IT IN TENTH
Whitecaps first baseman Beau Ankeney added his fourth home run with the Whitecaps - a game-tying two-run homer with two outs in the eighth - before Gil came through with a sacrifice fly in the tenth to finish off the walk-off winner. Meanwhile, Detroit Tigers No. 8 prospect and Whitecaps starting pitcher Ben Jacobs was impressive, tossing 4.2 scoreless and hitless innings while working around five walks and registering seven strikeouts.
Jacobs combined with Whitecaps relievers Moises Rodriguez and Zack Lee to hold Lansing hitless through the first seven innings. Meanwhile, West Michigan left five base runners on base through the first six innings before finally breaking through in the seventh, as Lugnuts first baseman C.J. Pittaro committed a fielding error, allowing Stephen Hrustich to cross the plate and give the Whitecaps a 1-0 lead. Lansing broke through with their first base hit in the eighth before pouring on three runs, featuring an RBI single from Ali Camarillo, to take a 3-1 lead. Their edge was short-lived, as Ankeney delivered his game-tying homer in the eighth, sending the game into extra innings tied at three.
The Lugnuts collected two runs in the top of the tenth as infielder Daniel Bucciero blasted a two-run homer over the right-field wall, taking a 5-3 lead. The Whitecaps stormed back in the bottom half, as a Juan Hernandez RBI single and a bases-loaded walk by Cristian Santana preceded Gil's sacrifice fly, capping off the walk-off winner.
The Whitecaps improve to 25-19 in the second half and 49-59 overall, while the Lugnuts fall to 19-24 in the second half and 48-59 overall. Whitecaps reliever Ryan Harvey (4-4) secured his fourth win, allowing two runs (one earned) through two innings pitched. Lugnuts closer Abel Mercedes (0-4) suffered his fourth loss, giving up three runs in the tenth. Jacobs has excelled through his first two starts in August, allowing just one run on three hits through 10.1 innings of work while registering 12 strikeouts.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Lugnuts move their six-game series at LMCU Ballpark to Thursday night, with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 pm. 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.