‘Caps Win Streak Ends at Four
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps took an early lead but couldn’t sustain it as Ruben Ibarra blasted a tiebreaking, eighth-inning two-run homer in a 4-2 loss to the Dayton Dragons in front of 8,042 fans Tuesday night at Day Air Ballpark. The Whitecaps offense went ice cold on
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps took an early lead but couldn’t sustain it as Ruben Ibarra blasted a tiebreaking, eighth-inning two-run homer in a 4-2 loss to the Dayton Dragons in front of 8,042 fans Tuesday night at Day Air Ballpark.
The Whitecaps offense went ice cold on Tuesday, only attaining two base hits from the third inning through the remainder of the contest. The loss snaps West Michigan’s season-high four-game winning streak.
The Whitecaps opened the scoring when one of their newest additions, outfielder Brady Allen, launched a home run off the video board in left field, estimated at 400 feet, to give West Michigan a 1-0 lead. Dillon Paulson followed with a run-scoring single later in the frame, extending the edge to 2-0. In the bottom of the inning, Justice Thompson delivered a run-scoring single to answer West Michigan and cut the lead to 2-1. The next three innings were dominated by Dayton pitcher Brooks Crawford, who retired all ten batters he faced while striking out a pair of ‘Caps hitters. In the fifth, former Western Michigan Bronco Blake Dunn slammed his seventh homer of the season, a solo shot to tie the game at two. The score remained the same until Ibarra blasted a 466-foot go-ahead homer in the eighth, giving the Dragons the difference in the contest.
The Whitecaps fall to 26-20 and drop five games behind the Great Lakes Loons for first place in the Midwest League East division. The Dragons improve to 23-23. Dragons reliever Jake Gozzo (3-2) tossed a pair of scoreless innings out of the bullpen to earn his third win of the season, while Bryce Tassin (0-1) took the loss in his first game back with his former club. The 8,042 fans in attendance mark the largest crowd the Whitecaps have played in front of this season. Infielder Danny Serretti was the only ‘Caps player to reach base twice with a single and a walk in a losing cause. Meanwhile, former Detroit Tigers infielder Ryan Kreidler continued his Minor League Rehab Assignment with West Michigan, going 0-for-3 while playing second base in the contest.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game series against the Dayton Dragons Wednesday from Day Air Ballpark at 7:05 pm. Garrett Burhenn takes the mound for West Michigan against Dayton’s Chase Petty. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50 pm. Get your tickets for all 2023 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.