COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps saw a balanced offensive performance, but the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers saved their best for the last game of the series as part of a 6-5 loss Friday in front of a season-best 8,861 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark.Brock Deatherage proved just how
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps saw a balanced offensive performance, but the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers saved their best for the last game of the series as part of a 6-5 loss Friday in front of a season-best 8,861 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Brock Deatherage proved just how lethal he has been at the plate by going 3-for-5 as well as stealing two bases in the ballgame. Brady Policelli also had an impressive showing with three hits and extending his hitting streak to a career-high 11 games, including a solo home run in the seventh inning.
Jordan Pearce helped West Michigan open the scoring in the first with a run-scoring single to highlight the 'Caps 2-0 early advantage. Wisconsin's Rob Henry responded with a two-run single off 'Caps starter Brad Bass in the second to tie the game. The 'Caps tacked on another in the fifth and took the lead at 3-2 as a Policelli groundout scored Anthony Pereira from third base. A 438-foot mammoth solo home run from Tristen Lutz to left-center erased that slim lead and tied the game at three. Bass departed in the seventh inning, and the Rattlers broke the game open with three runs and a 6-3 margin. After Policelli's homer in the seventh to make it 6-4 game the Whitecaps rallied for a run in the bottom of the ninth and placed runners at the corner with two out. Deatherage, who was seeking a four-hit night and a potential game-tying hit grounded out to first to end the Caps hopes of a comeback. Although West Michigan managed ten hits on the night, they went only 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.
Bass (5-6) went 6.2 innings, allowing five earned runs on seven hits while striking out six and not allowing a walk in the loss. Christian Taugner (6-6) went six innings permitting three runs on seven hits and picked up the win. With the victory, the Timber Rattlers advanced to 39-51 on the campaign while the Whitecaps fell to 47-45 but took two games of the three-game series.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps open a three-game series against the Beloit Snappers beginning Saturday at 7:05 pm. Pitcher Tom de Blok starts on the mound for the Whitecaps against Snappers pitcher Mitchell Jordan. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman begins 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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