MIDLAND, MI - On the strength of back-to-back home runs, the West Michigan Whitecaps opened a three-game series with a 5-1 win over the Great Lakes Loons Monday at Dow Diamond.Tweet from @wmwhitecaps: I like the looks of this...Caps win 5-1 over Great Lakes, presented by @MittenBrewingCo. We're back tomorrow
MIDLAND, MI - On the strength of back-to-back home runs, the West Michigan Whitecaps opened a three-game series with a 5-1 win over the Great Lakes Loons Monday at Dow Diamond.
The Whitecaps and Loons traded empty threats in the first three innings, as each team loaded the bases with two outs before being turned away in the opening frame. In the third, Great Lakes packed the bags again before Leonel Valera grounded out to end the threat. The game remained scoreless until the fifth when Reece Hampton opened the inning with a triple and scored on a sacrifice fly by Johnny Valente. Later in the frame, Ulrich Bojarski and Jordan Pearce launched back-to-back home runs on consecutive pitches to extend the West Michigan lead to 3-0.
The home runs mark the first time the Whitecaps had accomplished the feat since August 29, 2015, when Ross Kivett and A.J. Simcox went back-to-back in a game against Lansing at Fifth Third Ballpark.
In the sixth, Hampton brought home a run with a sacrifice fly, and Johnny Valente delivered a run-scoring single to increase the 'Caps advantage to 5-0. Whitecaps starter Garrett Hill worked around five walks to toss three scoreless innings before Drew Crosby (1-0) gave up just one run in three innings to earn his first win of the season. Loons reliever Jose Martinez (0-1) gave up all five 'Caps runs in taking his first loss. West Michigan's record improves to 7-9 in 2019 while the Loons fall to 7-10. Hampton led the West Michigan offense with a 2-for-4 performance with a triple, a run scored and an RBI, while Pearce homered and walked twice in the victory.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps road trip continues Tuesday from Dow Diamond against the Great Lakes Loons at 6:05 pm. Pitcher Gio Arriera makes a start for West Michigan against Loons pitcher Josiah Gray. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 5:55 pm. Tickets are available for any Whitecaps 2019 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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