Valencia Goes Deep in 4-1 Win
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Catcher Eduardo Valencia blasted his first Midwest League home run while pitcher Carlos Guzman dominated as the West Michigan Whitecaps downed the Lake County Captains 4-1 in front of 6,360 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark. Guzman tossed five scoreless innings with four strikeouts as Whitecaps
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Catcher Eduardo Valencia blasted his first Midwest League home run while pitcher Carlos Guzman dominated as the West Michigan Whitecaps downed the Lake County Captains 4-1 in front of 6,360 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark.
Guzman tossed five scoreless innings with four strikeouts as Whitecaps pitching held Lake County to an 0-for-11 mark with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Valencia pounded a three-run home run that left the bat at 108 mph in the victory.
WATCH: VALENCIA’S FIRST ‘CAPS HOMER
Guzman allowed just one hit through the first three innings as Carlos Mendoza plated Austin Murr on a bases-loaded groundout in the fourth before Valencia smashed his three-run homer, putting West Michigan in front 4-0. Lake County managed just one hit in the next four innings as Sequeira, Arriera, and Magno combined for three scoreless frames with five strikeouts to maintain the 4-0 lead. The Captains finally scored in the ninth as a throwing error allowed Petey Halpin to score, trimming the lead to 4-1. Still, Lake County couldn't rally, as Angel Martinez lined out to end the game and deliver West Michigan the 4-1 victory.
Guzman (7-6) collects his seventh win, while Captains starter Tommy Mace (0-5) suffers his fifth loss, allowing four runs through five innings pitched. Jack Anderson retired Angel Martinez to close the contest and collect his first save with West Michigan. The Whitecaps hold a one-game lead over the Lake County Captains for first place in the Midwest League Eastern Division second-half race. The Whitecaps improve to 60-52 and 29-17 in the second half. The Captains fall to 62-48 and 27-17 in the second half. Guzman has only allowed two runs (one earned) through 20 innings pitched with just three walks and 19 strikeouts through his last four starts at home.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps play the penultimate contest of this six-game series against the Lake County Captains from LMCU Ballpark at 6:35 pm. Righty Keider Montero and lefty Tommy Boone get the starts for West Michigan and Lake County. 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.