‘Caps Wash Away Captains, 5-1
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used dominant pitching and timely hitting to beat the Lake County Captains 5-1 in front of 5,504 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. WATCH: WHITECAPS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT West Michigan starting pitcher Wilkel Hernandez tossed six scoreless innings with five strikeouts as
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps used dominant pitching and timely hitting to beat the Lake County Captains 5-1 in front of 5,504 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
WATCH: WHITECAPS WIN THIRD STRAIGHT
West Michigan starting pitcher Wilkel Hernandez tossed six scoreless innings with five strikeouts as West Michigan held Lake County to an 0-for-6 mark with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, 'Caps first baseman Dillon Paulson finished 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI in the 5-1 win.
The Whitecaps opened the scoring in the bottom of the third inning as Gage Workman collected a two-run single before Andre Lipcius added an RBI single, delivering West Michigan the 3-0 lead. Lake County managed just two hits through the first five innings as the 'Caps added to their advantage in the sixth on a two-run single from Dillon Paulson - extending their lead to 5-0. After Hernandez exited the ball game, 'Caps reliever Bryce Tassin kept the Lake County Captains in check, tossing two shutout innings while allowing just one hit - maintaining the 5-0 lead. Lake County finally scored in the ninth as third baseman Dayan Frias delivered a solo home run. Still, it was too late, as Whitecaps closer Erick Pinales induced a double-play to slam the door on the 5-1 victory.
The Whitecaps record improves to 47-49 overall and 15-16 in the second half, while the Captains fall to 46-50 and 15-16 in the second half. Hernandez (3-7) picks up his third win while Captains starter Steve Hajjar (1-3) suffers his third loss, allowing five runs through 5.2 innings of work. Hernandez has allowed just two runs over his last 21 innings pitched while posting a 25-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio. The Whitecaps remain three games back of the Fort Wayne TinCaps for first place in the Midwest League East Division.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game series against the Lake County Captains from LMCU Ballpark on Wednesday at 6:35 pm. Detroit Tigers Top-10 Prospect Troy Melton takes the mound for West Michigan against Rodney Boone. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.