Caps double their way past Lugnuts, 9-3
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Trailing early, the West Michigan Whitecaps (18-11) reeled off nine unanswered runs, including five runs in a pivotal doubles-heavy third-inning rally, to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts (13-15), 9-3, on Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark. The Whitecaps followed up a 17-hit 14-5 rout on Tuesday with 13
COMSTOCK PARK, Mich. – Trailing early, the West Michigan Whitecaps (18-11) reeled off nine unanswered runs, including five runs in a pivotal doubles-heavy third-inning rally, to defeat the Lansing Lugnuts (13-15), 9-3, on Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark.
The Whitecaps followed up a 17-hit 14-5 rout on Tuesday with 13 more hits Wednesday, though there was a key difference: They led from start to finish in the series opener. On Wednesday, they fell behind early 3-0 after the Lugnuts strung together consecutive two-out RBI singles from Alexander Campos, Junior Pérez and Jonny Butler in the top of the second inning.
But after a Roberto Campos sacrifice fly off Christian Fernandez in the bottom of the second halved the deficit, the Whitecaps turned the game on its head with two-baggers in the third. With two outs and two runners aboard, Dillon Paulson doubled to left to bring the Caps within 3-2, Josh Couch doubled to right-center for a 4-3 lead, Carlos Mendoza doubled down the right field line for a 5-3 lead, and Robert Campos doubled down the left field line for a 6-3 lead, capping the rally.
Justice Bigbie added a two-run homer in the sixth off Fernandez, who allowed 10 hits and seven runs in 5 1/3 innings in relief of starter Brady Basso (one inning-plus, two hits, two walks, one run, one strikeout).
Danny Serretti closed out the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the eighth off Jack Owen.
Meanwhile, the Lugnuts’ offense finished with seven hits, all singles, in defeat, with no more than one base runner for the final seven innings of the game. Danny Bautista, Jr. went 2-for-4 with two singles, a steal and a run scored to lead the offense, and Daniel Susac finished 0-for-3 with a walk to reach base in his 11th straight game.
Right-hander Mitch Myers (3.86 ERA) starts the third game of the series on Thursday night at 6:35 p.m., opposed by West Michigan right-hander Wilkel Hernandez (4.37 ERA).
The Lugnuts play the Whitecaps through Sunday before returning home from May 16-21 against Lake County. For more information, visit lansinglugnuts.com or call (517) 485-4500.
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