COMSTOCK PARK, MI - 6,300 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark witnessed history Friday night as the West Michigan Whitecaps broke a 43-year-old Midwest League mark by recording their 24th shutout of 2017 in a convincing 6-0 victory over the Great Lakes Loons.Tweet from @wmwhitecaps: WATCH & LISTEN! The final out of
COMSTOCK PARK, MI - 6,300 fans at Fifth Third Ballpark witnessed history Friday night as the West Michigan Whitecaps broke a 43-year-old Midwest League mark by recording their 24th shutout of 2017 in a convincing 6-0 victory over the Great Lakes Loons.
The Whitecaps utilized their 2017 theme of solid pitching in their bid for history as Anthony Castro scattered four hits in his 18th start of the year, and Trent Szkutnik finished the game with four perfect innings. West Michigan took the early lead with two runs in the third inning and a solo run in the fourth as Derek Hill banged an RBI-triple and Danny Woodrow dragged an RBI bunt single as part of the 3-0 advantage. A Danny Woodrow sacrifice fly in the sixth inning extended the 'Caps lead to 4-0. Two runs in the eighth inning pushed the score to 6-0 as a Loons throwing error along with Woodrow's third RBI of the night - a double down the right field line, rounded out the score at 6-0 and placed West Michigan in the history books with the shutout win. The 'Caps new record eclipsed the previous record of 23 shutouts achieved by the Quad Cities Angels in 1974.
Woodrow, Cole Bauml and Danny Pinero each paced the 'Caps offense with two hits each as part of a nine-hit night, including five extra base hits. Castro (9-4) went five innings in the win, recording five strikeouts and two walks. Szkutnik proved brilliant in relief, picking up his second save of 2017, allowing no hits and tallying season high six strikeouts. With the win, West Michigan improved to 79-34 in 2017 as 13 wins are needed over the last 23 games to tie the franchise record for most wins in a season-92 by the 1997 Whitecaps. Leo Crawford (6-10) took the loss for Great Lakes as their losing streak increased to sixth straight games and dropped the Loons season record to 56-60.
The conclusion of Thursday night's rain suspended game commenced on Friday afternoon at Fifth Third Ballpark and the Whitecaps won in dramatic fashion in a 10-9 thriller over Great Lakes in 11 innings. Play had been halted in a 9-9 deadlock after nine innings on Thursday. The Whitecaps came all the way back from a 7-1 deficit as Chad Sedio highlighted the comeback with his second home run of the game- a sixth inning grand slam to tie the game at 8-8. Bauml sealed the incredible 10-9 victory with a two out RBI single in the 11th inning. Sedio recorded a career high six RBI's in the victory. Brandyn Sittinger (2-1) picked up the win in relief for the 'Caps and Andre Scrubb (4-2) took the loss for Great Lakes.
UP NEXT
The Whitecaps continue this four-game series against the Great Lakes Loons Saturday at 7:00p.m. Pitcher Eudis Idrogo gets the start on the mound against Chris Mathewson for Great Lakes. Broadcast coverage with Dan Hasty and Mike Coleman begins on the Whitecaps Baseball Network at 6:50p.m. Tickets can be reserved for any Whitecaps 2017 home contest by calling the Whitecaps front office at 616-784-4131 or by visiting www.whitecapsbaseball.com.
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