Whitecaps halt Lugnuts’ winning streak

LANSING, Mich. – The West Michigan Whitecaps (31-23, 63-56) used a four-run fifth to halt the Lansing Lugnuts’ (25-30, 56-64) four-game winning streak, 5-2, in the opener of a six-game series on Tuesday night at Jackson® Field™.

Leading 1-0 entering the fifth on an Izaac Pacheco fourth-inning sac fly off Lugnuts starter Jose Dicochea, West Michigan added to its lead on a Gage Workman RBI single, a Luke Gold RBI HBP, and a two-run single by Pacheco against Christian Fernandez.

On the hit-by-pitch, Gold was struck a glancing blow on his helmet by a Fernandez curve, prompting West Michigan to remove him for precautionary reasons. He was replaced by Esney Chacon, who played a significant role late.

The Lugnuts ruined the Whitecaps’ shutout bid with two runs in the eighth on a run-scoring throwing error by Pacheco and a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch by Williander Moreno of Brennan Milone.

The bottom of the ninth inning began auspiciously with consecutive walks issued to T.J. Schofield-Sam and CJ Rodriguez, causing the Whitecaps to turn to Trevin Michael. After a strikeout of Colby Halter, Junior Pérez stroked a sinking line drive into left center where Chacon made a do-or-die headlong dive to snag it and steal away a potential run-scoring extra-base hit.

Michael then coaxed a groundout from Jacob Wilson to end the ballgame.

In the loss, Dicochea struck out six batters in four innings, allowing one run on three hits and two walks. Jack Owen followed Fernandez to the mound with 3 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out three, and Brock Whittlesey worked around a leadoff triple in a scoreless ninth.

On the offensive side, both Daniel Susac and Halter each finished 2-for-4.

Wednesday is a White Claws and Paws Night, with special pricing on White Claws and dogs welcome to the ballpark for the final Dog Days of Summer. Gates open at 6 p.m. for a 7:05 p.m. start. Tickets are available at the box office, via lansinglugnuts.com or by calling (517) 485-4500.

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