Snappers Clamp Down on Whitecaps

COMSTOCK PARK, MI - The West Michigan Whitecaps pitchers struggled to keep their opponents in-check all afternoon as part of an 8-1 loss to the Beloit Snappers in front of 5,422 fans on a sun-drenched Sunday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
Tweet from @wmwhitecaps: It was a ruff day for the #WCaps...Presented by @MittenBrewingCo. pic.twitter.com/TfAHyaGOf0
After a dominant three-hit seven-strikeout performance in Lake County in his last start on July 8, Whitecaps starter Wilkel Hernandez couldn't find any answers going only 3.2 innings while allowing three earned runs on five hits. The bats didn't help much either tallying just three hits all afternoon, the lowest hit total for the Whitecaps in the season's second half.
Beloit jumped out to a 3-0 advantage in the third highlighted by a Hunter Hargrove two-RBI-single. Another three-run fifth inning featured a Logan Farrar two-run double and a 6-0 Snappers advantage. The first and only run for the 'Caps came in the sixth inning off Beloit starter Jared Poche, who had relinquished only one hit through his first five innings. Kody Clemens stroked a sacrifice fly to left field to score Chris Proctor and give West Michigan its only run. Beloit stuck for two more in the eighth off a walk and sacrifice fly putting the final touches on an 8-1 victory and two straight over the Whitecaps.
Hernandez (0-2) took the loss, pitching 3.2 innings, allowing three runs and giving up five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Poche (6-6) went six sturdy frames in his finest start in 2018, permitting only three hits while striking out eight. The Snappers improve to 47-44 on the campaign while the Whitecaps fall to 47-47 and 11-12 in the second half of the Midwest League schedule.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps finish their six-game homestand against the Beloit Snappers Monday at 7:05 pm. Pitcher Dane Myers starts for the Whitecaps against Snappers righty Wyatt Marks. 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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