COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Kody Clemens worked a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the tenth inning as the West Michigan Whitecaps stunned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3-2 in front of a boisterous crowd of 6,901 Wednesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.The opening night of a six-game homestand found the
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - Kody Clemens worked a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the tenth inning as the West Michigan Whitecaps stunned the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers 3-2 in front of a boisterous crowd of 6,901 Wednesday night at Fifth Third Ballpark.
The opening night of a six-game homestand found the Whitecaps push across runs in both the second and third inning. Joey Morgan launched a solo home-run, and Rey Rivera provided an RBI-single to give the 'Caps a 2-0 lead.
Listen: Joey Morgan's Solo Home Run
Elvin Rodriguez gave the Whitecaps a fantastic start by no-hitting the Timber Rattlers through the first five innings before a Gilbert Lara solo home run paved the way for a game-tying two runs for Wisconsin in the sixth. Cam Warner, who paced West Michigan with two hits on the night, also contributed defensively with a spectacular fielding play in the inning to halt a potential big Timber Rattlers inning.
Johan Belisario and Clate Schmidt proved perfect in relief for West Michigan as they combined for four scoreless innings of work. As the game moved to the tenth inning, a huge double play paved the way for the 'Caps heroics in the bottom of the frame. West Michigan loaded the bases with none out, but strikeouts by Rey Rivera and Jordan Pearce set the stage for Clemens, who took a full-count pitch that narrowly missed inside for a walk-off win, which set off an incensed Timber Rattlers team who thought the ball should have been called a strike. The victory snapped a three-game losing skid for the Whitecaps. Schmidt (6-1) picked up the win as West Michigan tallied nine hits on the night. Rodriguez gave up only two runs in six innings, walked three and struck out eight. Michael Petersen (1-1) absorbed the loss for Wisconsin. With the win, West Michigan improves their second-half record to 10-10 and 46-44 overall in 2018. Wisconsin drops to 38-50 and 7-12 in second half play.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue their three-game series with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers Thursday at 7:05 pm. Pitcher Jesus Rodriguez gets the start for the Whitecaps. 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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