COMSTOCK PARK, MI - A late-inning fielding error by the West Michigan Whitecaps resulted in a go-ahead Lansing Lugnuts run and spelled defeat in a 3-2 loss in front of 8,767 fans Thursday at Fifth Third Ballpark.Brady Policelli opened the scoring started for the 'Caps off Lugnuts starter Graham Spraker
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - A late-inning fielding error by the West Michigan Whitecaps resulted in a go-ahead Lansing Lugnuts run and spelled defeat in a 3-2 loss in front of 8,767 fans Thursday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Brady Policelli opened the scoring started for the 'Caps off Lugnuts starter Graham Spraker by launching a leadoff solo home run in the first inning and giving the Whitecaps a 1-0 advantage. Whitecaps starter Brad Bass entered the game not allowing an earned run in his last 21.2 innings of work and stretched it two more innings before getting touched up in the third. A Brandon Grudzielanek single plated the second run of the inning and gave Lansing their first lead at 2-1. After the Whitecaps put two runners on in the fifth, Kody Clemens deadlocked the game at 2-2 by lining a clutch RBI-single and scoring Policelli from second. The critical play came in the Lansing seventh when a grounder squirted under the glove of 'Caps shortstop Luke Sherley and enabled Samad Taylor to race home from second base with the eventual game-winning run. Policelli made the game interesting for the Whitecaps, with two out in the ninth inning by lacing a single down the left field line but was thrown out at second base trying to get into scoring position. The 3-2 loss for the Whitecaps evened the three-game series at one win each. Policelli and Clemens notched two-hit games for the 'Caps who outhit the 'Nuts eight to five.
West Michigan starting pitcher Brad Bass worked five innings allowing two runs on four hits while striking out five in the no-decision. Johan Belisario (2-1) proved brilliant in relief once again for the 'Caps, but an unearned run given up in three innings of work gave him his first loss on the campaign. Spraker (4-2) took the victory, scattering six hits in seven innings for Lansing. Dany Jimenez pitched two innings of relief for the Lugnuts and notched his eleventh save of 2018. The Lugnuts advance to 30-23 in the second half and 73-50 overall, while the Whitecaps fall to 25-27 in the second half and 61-61 on the year. West Michigan still finds themselves in the thick of the playoff picture in the Midwest League's second half.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps and Lugnuts conclude this three-game series Friday from Fifth Third Ballpark at 7:05 pm. Wilkel Hernandez gets the start for West Michigan against Lansing righty Kyle Weatherly. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:55 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2018 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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