Rattlers Bite ‘Caps in 11, 5-2
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps tied their Wednesday afternoon game in the ninth inning but couldn't complete the comeback, falling to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 5-2 in extra-innings in front of 5,749 fans at LMCU Ballpark. Whitecaps starter Matt Walker had one of his best outings, striking
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps tied their Wednesday afternoon game in the ninth inning but couldn't complete the comeback, falling to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 5-2 in extra-innings in front of 5,749 fans at LMCU Ballpark.
Whitecaps starter Matt Walker had one of his best outings, striking out six Wisconsin hitters without a walk through five scoreless innings. Still, the 'Caps could not take advantage of several scoring opportunities, finishing 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position in the narrow defeat.
Walker held the Timber Rattlers scoreless without allowing a runner to advance into scoring position through the first five innings, as Carlos Mendoza lifted a sacrifice fly in the second inning, putting the 'Caps on top 1-0. Wisconsin pitcher Israel Puello was just as impressive, allowing one run through seven innings with five strikeouts as the Timber Rattlers scored individual runs in the sixth and seventh innings - featuring an RBI single from Central Michigan product Zavier Warren - forging in front 2-1. West Michigan roped three-straight singles in the ninth inning but only managed to plate one run, as Jake Holton scored on a sacrifice fly from Ben Malgeri to even the game at 2-2. Neither team scored in the 10th inning before Wisconsin exploded for three runs in the top of the 11th - highlighted by an RBI triple from Tristen Peters - to take the commanding 5-2 lead. The 'Caps failed to rally in the bottom half, as closer Taylor Floyd induced three-straight flyouts to send Wisconsin to the victory.
Floyd (1-1) collects his first win, allowing the game-tying run in the ninth before retiring the side in the 11th. Whitecaps closer Andrew Magno (1-1) suffers his first loss, allowing three runs through just one inning with a pair of walks. The Timber Rattlers improve to 45-37 (12-5 in the second half) as the Whitecaps fall to 43-40 (12-5 in the second half). Whitecaps pitching didn't allow a single runner to advance to second base on no walks through the first 14 innings of this series. Furthermore, Walker tied his single-game career high in strikeouts with six in the tough-luck loss.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this six-game series against the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers on Thursday at 6:35 pm. Ty Madden gets the start for the Whitecaps against Timber Rattlers lefty Russell Smith. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Nate Wangler starts on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:20 pm. Get your tickets for all 2022 home games now at www.whitecapsbaseball.com.