COMSTOCK PARK, MI- The West Michigan Whitecaps owned the base paths with timely extra base hits en route to a 9-4 victory over the Dayton Dragons in front of 7,181 fans Saturday at Fifth Third Ballpark. The second game of a three-game series proved to be a track meet through
COMSTOCK PARK, MI- The West Michigan Whitecaps owned the base paths with timely extra base hits en route to a 9-4 victory over the Dayton Dragons in front of 7,181 fans Saturday at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The second game of a three-game series proved to be a track meet through nine innings for the 'Caps. After trailing 2-0 and 3-2 early on, they never looked back. The Dragons drew first blood off back-to-back RBI-singles in the first from Hendrik Clementina and Leandro Santana. The 'Caps answered with a pair of RBI's in the second from Garrett McCain and Alexis Garcia and tied the game at two. Jeter Downs hit a towering home run in the third to give Dayton a 3-2 lead, but West Michigan was just getting warmed up offensively. McCain delivered his second RBI of the game plating Rey Rivera from third in the fourth inning and tying the game once again. The Whitecaps used a monster fifth inning as Jose Azocar added an RBI triple and Jordan Pierce followed with an RBI-double to highlight a four-run inning and a 7-3 lead. McCain and Garcia both added RBI's in the eighth to increase the lead to 9-3. Dayton tallied a solo run in the ninth, but the Whitecaps secured the victory with solid relief pitching from Oswaldo Castillo and Felix Viloria.
Dane Myers (3-1) overcame a rough start and hurled six innings, allowing three runs on four hits while striking out a career-high eight in the win. Adrian Rodriguez (3-4) struggled through five innings, allowing seven runs on seven hits and suffered the loss. The Whitecaps move above .500 to 35-34 on the year, while Dayton drops to 31-36. McCain paced a ten hit Whitecaps attack with a season high three hits and three RBI game.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps finish their three-game weekend stretch against the Dayton Dragons Sunday at 2:00 pm. Pitcher Matt Manning gets the start for the Whitecaps against Dragons lefty Packy Naughton. Broadcast coverage with Mike Coleman begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 1:50 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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